Article

Muscle vibrations can induce motor responses and illusions of complex movements.
However, inducing gait-like cyclical movements and illusions requires the
application of multiple fast alternating vibrations to lower-limb muscles. The
objectives were (1) to test the feasibility of delivering complex vibrations in a
time-organized manner and (2) to illustrate the possibility of inducing alternate
gait-in-place-like movements using these vibrations. Patterns of vibration,
produced by 12 vibrators applied bilaterally on the flexor and extensor muscle
groups of the lower limbs, were based on normal gait kinematics. We tested 1 s
and 2 s cycle patterns of vibration. Vibrator responses were assessed using auto-
and crosscorrelations and frequency analyses based on accelerometry measurements,
and compared between patterns. High auto- (>0.8) and crosscorrelation (>0.6)
coefficients demonstrated a good response by the vibrators to the control signal.
Vibrations induced cyclical, low-amplitude stepping-in-place movements that
mimicked alternate walking movements with both legs, with 1 s and 2 s cycle
durations, in one nondisabled participant and one participant with American
Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale B spinal cord injury standing,
relaxed, with body-weight support. Electromechanical vibrators can deliver
complex cyclical vibrations and trigger gait-like lower-limb movements. These
results warrant the application of these vibration patterns on individuals with
sensorimotor impairments to test their potential in gait rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS