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PURPOSE--The objective of this project was to determine the effect of using a cane in the ipsilateral (IP) versus contralateral (C) hand on plantar pressures. Plantar pressure-time data were recorded with a portable data-acquisition system during contra/ipsilateral cane use. Statistical analysis of pressure patterns was performed to determine the effect of cane use.
METHODOLOGY--A portable insole sensor system was used to measure plantar pressures at fourteen sites on the soles of both feet during extended recording periods. Interlink pressure sensors were used because of low cost, simple circuitry, and flexibility. Sensor locations were clinically determined by recording subject walking patterns on an APEX foot imprinter during multiple trials. To compensate for nonlinearity and temperature drift, all sensors were dynamically calibrated at 36 deg C to generate piecewise linear lookup tables for translation of voltage to pressure data. A...