IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i12p6460-d575061.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Repurposing an EMG Biofeedback Device for Gait Rehabilitation: Development, Validity and Reliability

Author

Listed:
  • Reza Koiler

    (Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA)

  • Elham Bakhshipour

    (Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA)

  • Joseph Glutting

    (School of Education, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA)

  • Amy Lalime

    (Product & Marketing Manager, mTrigger, LLC, Newark, DE 19713, USA)

  • Dexter Kofa

    (Dexter Kofa, Mobile App Developer, Philadelphia, PA 19120, USA)

  • Nancy Getchell

    (Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
    Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA)

Abstract

Gait impairment often limits physical activity and negatively impacts quality of life. EMG-Biofeedback (EMG-BFB), one of the more effective interventions for improving gait impairment, has been limited to laboratory use due to system costs and technical requirements, and has therefore not been tested on a larger scale. In our research, we aimed to develop and validate a cost-effective, commercially available EMG-BFB device for home- and community-based use. We began by repurposing mTrigger ® (mTrigger LLC, Newark, DE, USA), a cost-effective, portable EMG-BFB device, for gait application. This included developing features in the cellphone app such as step feedback, success rate, muscle activity calibration, and cloud integration. Next, we tested the validity and reliability of the mTrigger device in healthy adults by comparing it to a laboratory-grade EMG system. While wearing both devices, 32 adults walked overground and on a treadmill at four speeds (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 m/s). Statistical analysis revealed good to excellent test–retest reliability (r > 0.89) and good to excellent agreement in the detection of steps (ICC > 0.85) at all speeds between two systems for treadmill walking. Our results indicated that mTrigger compared favorably to a laboratory-grade EMG system in the ability to assess muscular activity and to provide biofeedback during walking in healthy adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Reza Koiler & Elham Bakhshipour & Joseph Glutting & Amy Lalime & Dexter Kofa & Nancy Getchell, 2021. "Repurposing an EMG Biofeedback Device for Gait Rehabilitation: Development, Validity and Reliability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6460-:d:575061
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/12/6460/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/12/6460/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6460-:d:575061. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.