Details of a platform for the rehabilitation of people with severe balance impairment are discussed in the paper. Based upon a commercially available static parapodium, modified to fit force sensors, this device is designed to give a new, safe tool to physiotherapists. It is designed for the patients who cannot maintain equilibrium during a bipedal stance and need to hold to or lean on something during the rehabilitation. Visual, real-time information about weight distribution between left and right leg as well as the information about the force applied to the pillows supporting the patient's body is provided to the patient with help of a LED display. The control system allows registering forces applied by the patient to the device and analyze them after the therapy. The results of a preliminary evaluation of the device are presented in the paper with four healthy and one Cerebral Palsy ataxic participants. Two exercise scenarios are tested showing significant dependence between balance impairment and compensatory forces measured by the device, as well as a notable difference in how the subject strives for better results if the visual feedback is provided.
Authors
Additional information
- DOI
- Digital Object Identifier link open in new tab 10.1007/978-3-030-46970-2_1
- Category
- Publikacja monograficzna
- Type
- rozdział, artykuł w książce - dziele zbiorowym /podręczniku w języku o zasięgu międzynarodowym
- Language
- angielski
- Publication year
- 2020