Feedback control of unsupported standing

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hunt, K.J.^a | Gollee, H.^a | Jaime, R.^a | Donaldson, N.^b

Affiliations: [a] Centre for Systems and Control, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. E-mail: k.hunt@mech.gla.ac.uk, h.gollee@mech.gla.ac.uk, rjaime@mech.gla.ac.uk | [b] Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, London WC1E 6JA, UK. E-mail: nickd@medphys.ucl.ac.uk

Abstract: This paper presents the results of continuing work on feedback control of unsupported standing in paraplegia. Our experimental setup considers a situation in which all joints above the ankle are braced, and stabilising torque at the ankle is generated by stimulation of the plantarflexors. A previous study showed that short periods of unsupported standing with paraplegic subjects could be achieved. In order to improve consistency and reliability of unsupported standing we are currently investigating several modifications to the control strategy. The paper reports progress towards this goal.

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7610

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 443-447, 1999