Abstract
In this study, a method to facilitate standing and walking by reducing sway in upright subjects was investigated. The technique involves the application of minimal fingertip force (also referred to as light touch contact, or LTC) with a virtual impedance partition surrounding the subject. In this set-up, a vibrotactile stimulator provides virtual force feedback when the subject comes into contact (known as virtual light touch contact, or VLTC) with the partition. To support the goal of creating a wearable aid that facilitates standing, the partition's impedance properties were examined in order to determine the extent to which sway could be reduced, and an unprecedented VLTC system with an acceleration sensor but no equipment for motion capture was tested. Based on this approach, sway was successfully moderated in healthy individuals.
