Passive Knee Orthoses Assistance in Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling in an Individual With Spinal Cord Injury

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) may be used in rehabilitation and assistance of people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). One significant application is facilitating physical exercise, mainly when combining FES mechanical platforms, such as tricycles. However, there are still technical challenges cycling protocols, improving control performance. Here we show how passive elements knee orthoses during could increase the average cadence, taking advantage movement. Our approach twofold. First, simulated forward dynamics a detailed musculoskeletal model over knees. Simulations showed that specific spring stiffness ranges increased crankset speed by more than 50%. Using parameters found simulations, built pair performed experiments one individual SCI. During two days, volunteer cycled similar stimulation magnitude without elements. We observed was higher 10% springs were attached to orthoses. These results potential using for or even lower magnitude, leading longer exercise duration.