Detection of the onset of gait initiation using kinematic sensors and EMG in transfemoral amputees

- We measured kinematic data and EMG at the residual limb of transfemoral amputees.
- We examined if this data can be used to predict gait initiation.
- Kinematic data can detect the initial motion for both leading limb conditions.
- Tensor facia latea EMG can predict initial motion of the prosthetic leading limb.
- Adding inertial sensors at the upper leg is useful for gait initiation prediction.

In this study we determined if detection of the onset of gait initiation in transfemoral amputees can be useful for voluntary control of upper leg prostheses. From six transfemoral amputees inertial sensor data and EMG were measured at the prosthetic leg during gait initiation. First, initial movement was detected from the inertial sensor data. Subsequently it was determined whether EMG could predict initial movement before detection based on the inertial sensors with comparable consistency as the inertial sensors.From the inertial sensors the initial movement can be determined. If the prosthetic leg leads, the upper leg accelerometer data was able to detect initial movement best. If the intact leg leads the upper leg gyroscope data performed best. Inertial sensors at the upper leg in general showed detections at the same time or earlier than those at the lower leg. EMG can predict initial movement up to a 138 ms in advance, when the prosthetic leg leads. One subject showed consistent EMG onset up to 248 ms before initial movement in the intact leg leading condition.A new method to detect initial movement from inertial sensors was presented and can be useful for additional prosthetic control. EMG measured at the prosthetic leg can be used for prediction of gait initiation when the prosthetic leg is leading, but for the intact leg leading condition this will not be of additional value.