Proportional Myoelectric Control of a Powered Ankle Prosthesis for Postural Control under Expected Perturbation: A Pilot Study

In this study we aimed to investigate the potential for antagonistic residual muscles to generate anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments and their benefit to postural control with proportional myoelectric control of a powered ankle prosthesis. We conducted this investigation using a predictable pendulum drop task with a single transtibial amputee. In two individual testing sessions the participant used his prescribed passive device and a powered device with pneumatic artificial muscles actuated proportionally to the activation of residual Tibialis Anterior (TA) and Lateral Gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles. Results demonstrated the transtibial amputee generated activations from the residual TA significantly earlier in the powered condition $(p=\theta.\theta\theta 7)$. In the powered condition anticipatory center of pressure excursions were significantly higher $(p=\theta.\theta 17)$, and peak center of mass excursions were reduced $(p=\theta.\theta 21)$. Peak medio-lateral center of pressure excursions were also significantly less in the direction of the intact limb for the powered condition $(p\ =\ \theta.\theta\theta 3)$. The results from this pilot study demonstrate the promise for transtibial amputees to generate anticipatory postural adjustments as well as the potential improvement of stability under expected perturbations. This pilot study provides an initial basis for future study using proportional myoelectric control via antagonistic residual muscles for the control of posture under expected perturbations.