Repository logo
 
Publication

Foot-to-forearm tactile feedback for lower-limb exoskeleton control: a pilot benchmarking study in healthy adults

2025-11-18Research article Open access
Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAguiar, Mafalda
dc.contributor.authorPais-Vieira, Carla
dc.contributor.authorMatos, Demétrio
dc.contributor.authorPerrotta, André
dc.contributor.authorKreynin, Peter
dc.contributor.authorPais-Vieira, Miguel
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-15T11:57:58Z
dc.date.available2025-12-15T11:57:58Z
dc.date.issued2025-11-18
dc.description.abstractReal-time tactile feedback has been applied in exoskeleton-based neurorehabilitation, particularly in spinal cord injury, through Foot-to-Forearm Feedback (FFF) at ground contact. Its effects on healthy individuals across varied terrains remain less understood. This pilot study investigated seven healthy participants controlling a lower-limb exoskeleton under two conditions (with and without FFF) across five scenarios: Flat, M-Shape, A-Shape, V-Shape, and Random. Objective measures included step count, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) segment length, and SIJ angle. Subjective experience was assessed by overall preference and a Global Experience Index (GEI) derived from questionnaire ratings. Analyses showed no consistent differences in step count, SIJ length, or SIJ angle between Control and FFF. In three runs, technical issues occurred (e.g., a loose cable). Subjective data showed that five of seven participants (71.4%) preferred FFF, one reported no difference, and one preferred the Control condition. Scenario-specific analyses indicated a preference for FFF in Flat (5/7 = 71.4%), but a lower preference in Random (2/6 = 33.3%). GEI scores decreased under A-Shape and Random conditions, though FFF partially mitigated the reduction in A-Shape. These preliminary findings suggest that FFF may influence subjective experience in healthy users, but confirmation will require larger samples and further investigation across scenarios.eng
dc.identifier.citationAguiar, M., Pais-Vieira, C., Matos, D., & Perrotta, A. et al. (2025). Foot-to-forearm tactile feedback for lower-limb exoskeleton control: a pilot benchmarking study in healthy adults. Sensors, 25(22), Article 7050. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25227050
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/s25227050
dc.identifier.eid105022864915
dc.identifier.issn1424-3210
dc.identifier.othera0d64a13-560f-4b21-bbce-00f5a824526f
dc.identifier.pmcPMC12656166
dc.identifier.pmid41305257
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/55897
dc.identifier.wos001624495900001
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectExoskeleton
dc.subjectGait parameters
dc.subjectRehabilitation
dc.subjectTactile feedback
dc.titleFoot-to-forearm tactile feedback for lower-limb exoskeleton control: a pilot benchmarking study in healthy adultseng
dc.typeresearch article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.issue22
oaire.citation.titleSensors
oaire.citation.volume25
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
134929832.pdf
Size:
4.38 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

CIIS - Contribuições em Revistas Científicas / Contribution to Journals