Evaluation of spring-loaded cane ground reaction forces during walking using time and frequency domain analysis.

This study examined the effect of a spring-loaded cane stiffness reduction on upper and lower extremity ground reaction forces in time and frequency domain during cane-aided walking. Twenty-nine participants walked five times over two force plates with a spring-loaded cane set at four different stiffnesses and T-scope knee brace set at 30° of knee flexion to simulate a foot injury. Time-frequency domain analyses revealed an increase in ground reaction forces at the simulated injured foot and a decrease in ground reaction forces at the hand via the shaft of the cane for each spring loaded-cane stiffness reduction during walking.