Basic study on a walking assist system with electrical stimulation for elderly people.

The purpose of this study is to examine the usefulness of a walking assist system using electrical stimulation. Thirty-two elderly people (18 men and 14 women) having no medical problems and five healthy young men participated in the study. The electrical stimulation was carried out in two cases: 1) hybrid training (HYBT) for the elderly subjects, 2) assisted walking aimed at eventual application in elderly individuals. The intensity of the electrical stimulation is 80% in case 1) and three patterns of 60%, 70%, and 80% of the measured maximum tolerable voltage (mMTV) in case 2). The HYBT effectiveness was the same or greater than that of weight machine training (WMT), and could improve the motor function of the lower limbs. During the assisted walking, the peak value of the vertical acceleration of the third lumber vertebra increased in contrast with the non-assisted walking. Steps and changes in the peak acceleration values in the sagittal plane also showed a tendency to increase due to the electrical stimulation. These results suggest that electrical stimulation can contribute to restore the weakened physical function of elderly individuals. The restoration will reduce the risk of falls and increase the daily activities.