Abstract: A method for treating certain patients with walking impediments, such as stroke patents, are trained to walk more effectively by providing audio signals to them to reinforce them when they are walking properly, or to warn them to take remedial action when they are walking improperly. Sensors in an insert or shoe sense distribution of weight and foot strikes against a ground surface while walking, and an IMU senses foot movement. Outputs from these devices are analyzed by a processing system to detect when the patient is walking with an impediment, such as one that may cause stumbling and/or falling, and an audio warning is provided so the patient can train himself/herself to walk more properly. Such a device may also be used by a clinician to analyze foot problems in a rehabilitation setting, and devise a treatment protocol for the patient outside a rehabilitation setting.

Abstract: A method for safety and/or training with an elongated item of sporting equipment has an electronic sports device affixed a gripping end of the sports device such that the sports device and the gripping end move together. The sports device emits first audible signal upon a first rotation of the sports device in a first rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of the equipment and the sports device emits a second audible signal upon a rotation of the sports device in a second, opposite, rotational direction about the longitudinal axis. This informs a user that the equipment is being undesirably rotated during a swinging motion of the equipment through an arc appropriate to the sport associated with the equipment. The user can adjust the next swing in response to hearing such signals. The sports device may also emit a motion signal to warn others that the equipment is in motion.