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Vibration motor stimulation device in smart leggings that promotes motor performance in older people

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Abstract

Globally, accelerated aging is taking place alongside increased life expectancy of the population. This poses a challenge to maintaining autonomy and independence as people age but preventing falls and disabilities. Currently, there are few specific technologies on the market that are focused on the rehabilitation and promotion of autonomy in older adults. This study presents the development of a prototype (Myoviber®) of a low-cost, wearable everyday garment, designed to stimulate the lower limbs by the application of focal muscle vibration and incorporating technical textile qualities. The presented approach is proactive and preventive, maintaining functionality for the elderly while integrating electronic technology into an everyday garment. For this, a comprehensive study was carried out that included the design of the leggings through anthropometric analyses, the development of vibration devices at a stable frequency located in the knee extensor muscle and a smart belt with wireless connection, and the optimization of the battery autonomy. The development of the prototype was carried out through the construction of a vibratory device, which was validated with biomechanical evaluations. The results show an increase in the functional capacity of the lower limbs, in relation to motor tasks such as postural balance and gait in older people.

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Funding

The authors received the support of the National Doctorate Scholarship ANID Chile, year 2019–2022 folio 21190910. This research was funded by the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID) to the Second Two-Stage IDeA Competition thematic in Adulto Mayor of the Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, FONDEF/ANID 2017, of smart leggings that improves the posture, movement, and quality of life of the older adults. Code ID17AM0023, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca.

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  1. Faculty of Engineering, University of Talca, Curico, Chile

    Valeria Bravo Carrasco & Javier Muñoz Vidal

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Talca, Talca, Chile

    Cristián Caparrós-Manosalva

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  1. Valeria Bravo Carrasco
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Correspondence to Valeria Bravo Carrasco.

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Carrasco, V.B., Vidal, J.M. & Caparrós-Manosalva, C. Vibration motor stimulation device in smart leggings that promotes motor performance in older people. Med Biol Eng Comput 61, 635–649 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-022-02733-7

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