University of Twente Student Theses
Multi-variable optimization problem for tailoring ankle-foot orthosis stiffness to end-users’ needs
Gille, Emma (2025) Multi-variable optimization problem for tailoring ankle-foot orthosis stiffness to end-users’ needs.
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| Abstract: | Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are devices commonly used to assist or rehabilitate gait, with stiffness being a key parameter influencing their effectiveness. However, the absence of clinical guidelines for tuning AFO stiffness often results in inconsistent outcomes and low user satisfaction. This may be due to two key challenges: the limited number of gait variables considered, which may not capture the full complexity of walking, and variability in how stiffness relates to gait variables across individuals. To address these challenges, we propose a user-tailored optimization framework that identifies and incorporates relevant gait variables based on individual needs and preferences. First, key performance variables across five gait domains were examined in five participants with cerebral palsy to assess their relevance for predicting stiffness levels, using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to interpret feature importance. Subsequently, user and healthcare professional preferences were integrated into the stiffness optimization framework. Our findings highlight the importance of multiple performance variables in capturing gait complexity and reveal that the most relevant variables differ between participants. Within the optimization framework, we identified a stiffness level that minimized the total error for each participant. The optimal stiffness varied between the participants, emphasizing the need for a personalized approach to stiffness optimization. Incorporating user and clinician preferences did not alter the optimal stiffness levels. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | TNW: Science and Technology |
| Subject: | 50 technical science in general |
| Programme: | Biomedical Engineering MSc (66226) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106230 |
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