Effects of Regent Suit on lower limb electromyographic patterns

Functional recovery of limb mobility of patients with spinal or cerebral injuries can take great advantage of the basic role played by sensorial and proprioceptive stimulations. On this base the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences have recently developed the 'Regent Suit' (RS), an experimental medical device derived from a suits worn by astronauts for therapeutical purposes during space flights. Although preliminary studies describe rehabilitation outcome of the RS in stroke, EMG changes induced by the suit are not known. Aim of the paper is to describe the effects of RS on lower limb EMG patterns on normal subjects. We studied 30 EMG gait analysis of 5 normal subjects without and with RS. Timing of maximum muscle effort over the gait cycle has been detected by the dominant peak phase of the Gaussian decomposition of the EMG envelope. Results showed a significant anticipatory effect on Soleus and Vastus Lateralis and a delay on the Tibialis Anterior and Semitendinosus due to RS elastic force recall facilitating the agonist muscle activation step. Comprehension of these EMG patterns modifications is at the base of a correct clinical use of the device, for both valid rehabilitative protocols and quantitative outcome evaluation.