The Augmented Movement Platform For Embodied Learning (AMPEL): development and reliability

Abstract

Balance and gait impairments are highly prevalent in the neurological population. Although current rehabilitation strategies focus on motor learning principles, it is of interest to expand into embodied sensori-motor learning; that is learning through a continuous interaction between cognitive and motor systems, within an enriched sensory environment. Current developments in engineering allow for the development of enriched sensory environments through interactive feedback. The Augmented Movement Platform for Embodied Learning (AMPEL) was developed, both in terms of hardware and software by an inter-disciplinary circular participatory design strategy. The developed device was then tested for in-between session reliability for the outcome measures inter-step interval and total onset time. Ten healthy participants walked in four experimental paths on the device in two different sessions, and between session correlations were calculated. AMPEL was developed both in terms of software and hardware, with three Plug-In systems (auditory, visual, auditory + visual). The auditory Plug-In allows for flexible application of augmented feedback. The in-between session reliability of the outcomes measured by the system were between high and very high on all 4 walked paths, tested on ten healthy participants [mean age 41.8 +/- 18.5; BMI 24.8 +/- 6.1]. AMPEL shows full functionality, and has shown between session reliability for the measures of inter-step-intervals and total-onset-time in healthy controls during walking on different paths.