Russian Scientists Develop Smart Rehabilitation Footwear for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Using biomechanics and digital modeling, researchers in St. Petersburg are designing custom footwear that helps children with cerebral palsy walk more naturally.
Scientists from the St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design, working together with medical specialists from the organization Physical Rehabilitation, have developed a new IT-based method for designing personalized footwear for children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to the university’s press office.
Biomechanics Meets Design
The method is built on biomechanical gait analysis. Researchers used a comprehensive database containing parameters of normal walking patterns in healthy individuals to compare them with the personal movement data of children with CP. In total, the system takes into account more than 500 metrics across key walking scenarios.
AI-Assisted Ergonomics
To optimize footwear design, the team developed a digital program that generates reports comparing up to five shoe models based on critical biomechanical parameters. The effectiveness of the footwear was later confirmed through a repeated gait analysis of children wearing the newly designed shoes.
Personalized Fit for Better Mobility
The innovation opens new possibilities for producing ergonomically optimized footwear for children who need it most, combining medical science, biomechanics, and digital technology to improve mobility and quality of life.
