Browsing by Author "Pew, Corey A."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Design, Fabrication, and Validation of a Portable Perturbation Treadmill for Balance Recovery Research
(ASME International, 2024-06) Knutson, Robert G.; Whitten, Justin; Graham, David; Shankwitz, Craig; Pew, Corey A.
Trips and falls are a major concern for older adults. The resulting injury and loss of mobility can have a significant impact on quality of life. An emerging field of study, known as Perturbation Training, has been shown to reduce injury rates associated with trips and falls in older adults. Treadmills traditionally used for Perturbation Training are large, expensive, and immobile, forcing users to travel long distances to receive care. A portable treadmill would serve a larger portion of the at-risk population than current methods. We developed a portable, low-cost, twin-belt perturbation treadmill capable of high-intensity Perturbation Training. Belt speeds are controlled by a custom mechanical and software interface, allowing operators with no programming experience to control the device. The treadmill can accommodate users up to 118 kg and provides a maximum acceleration and speed of 12 m/s2 and 3.3 m/s, respectively, under full load. The total weight is 180 kg, and the treadmill can be moved like a wheelbarrow, with handles in the back and wheels in the front. The prototype was validated with mechanical and human participant testing, showing it as a viable device for Perturbation Training. In this paper, we will go over the design, fabrication, and validation processes used to create the Portable Perturbation Treadmill.
Development of a Novel Perturbation Platform System for Balance Response Testing and Rehabilitation Interventions
(ASME International, 2023-04) Pew, Corey A.; Sadeh, Soroosh; Hsiao, Hao-Yuan; Neptune, Richard R.
Balance perturbations are often used to gain insight into reactive control strategies used to prevent falls. We developed a perturbation platform system (PPS) that can induce perturbations in both vertical and angled directions. The PPS was evaluated using human subject testing to verify its function and performance. The final system consisted of two box platforms that can individually perform vertical and angled surface perturbations. Following a perturbation, the system can automatically reset for the next iteration under the weight of the standing participant. The PPS achieves a peak downward acceleration of 4.4 m/s2 during drop events that simulate sudden surface changes. The experimental testing revealed that the perturbation induced a peak limb loading of 280 ± 38% of body weight (BW) during vertical drops and that participants' center of mass displacements were consistent with previous balance studies evaluating vertical perturbations. The system can be used in a laboratory or clinical setting to better understand balance response and control mechanisms and assist in rehabilitation training to improve balance control and help mitigate the incidence of falls.