Sensor-Based Rehabilitation Shoe

As part of the AiF research project “Sensor-Based Rehabilitation Shoe,” PFI and ISC have developed a measurement system for gait analysis and training monitoring, along with a specialised shoe in which this system can be fully integrated. This shoe could support outpatient rehabilitation for injuries or conditions affecting gait and provide valuable assistance in therapy documentation, objective assessment, and treatment outcomes.

The demand for assistive devices that support patients in their recovery and mobility restoration during rehabilitation continues to grow. A primary goal of rehabilitation for the lower extremities is the restoration of walking ability. Physicians and physiotherapists use various medical measurement systems to record gait and activity parameters. However, stationary systems have a significant drawback: they only capture patient movements as snapshots over a limited period and in a single measurement setting, usually in a laboratory. This limitation can distort conclusions drawn from the recorded data. In contrast, mobile measurement systems integrated into everyday footwear offer a valuable tool for outpatient rehabilitation.

With advances in technology, even components that were once large and space-consuming are now available in miniaturised, high-performance formats, making integration into footwear a realistic possibility. Nevertheless, no measurement system has yet been developed that is fully integrated into an everyday shoe. Standard commercial shoes simply do not provide sufficient space, necessitating the development of a specialised shoe. To create a wearable shoe with an integrated measurement system for daily use, numerous aspects must be addressed, including design, construction, manufacturing, and practical application.

The objective of this research project was to develop a gait analysis measurement system and a shoe into which the system could be fully incorporated. The patient should be able to use this device independently in their daily activities between rehabilitation sessions following appropriate instruction. At the next treatment appointment, the supervising physician or physiotherapist evaluates the recorded data using suitable software, drawing conclusions about the progress of the treatment and providing further guidance for the next steps. Additionally, the therapist gains valuable objective data on the actual course of rehabilitation.

The project objective was successfully achieved.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude for the support of research project AiF-No. 19132 N, which was funded within the framework of the "Industrial Collective Research (IGF)" programme through the budget of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag via the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF).

We also extend our sincere thanks to all companies and their employees for their active support in the execution of this project.