Utility of a low-cost wireless force platform as a potential clinical test of balance recovery after neuraxial anaesthesia

The gait analysis of subjects with short and non-uniform gait is difficult using the common commercial force platforms. The present work consists in the design, based on finite element method (FEM) analysis, of a force platform of two different dimensions (0.40 × 0.40 m and 0.80 × 0.40 m) considering static and dynamic simulation of their behavior. The aim of this project is to improve, with a simple, low cost and flexible structure, the instrumentation available for the gait analysis of children, neurologic patients and in general the most common clinical cases. The applicability of gait analysis to children, neurologic patients ECC can be improved by the flexibility of force platforms without losing the performance provided by traditional force platforms (e.g., for postural analysis).

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Low-Cost, Home-Oriented Neuro-Patient Monitoring

Advances in Medical Technologies and Clinical Practice - Virtual Reality Enhanced Robotic Systems for Disability Rehabilitation ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-9740-9.ch014 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 280-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ting Zhang ◽

Jiang Lu ◽

Rui Ma ◽

Koushik K. M. ◽

Xin Li

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Window Size ◽

Recognition System ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Motor Disorder ◽

Observation Window ◽

Signal Segmentation ◽

On Line ◽

Intensive Observations

Despite the extremely high medical cost of neuro-disorder diseases (NDDs), up to this point we still rely on labor-intensive observations to determine neuro-disorder symptoms. Therefore, it is critical to design a gait anomaly and motor disorder (GAMD) recognition system for accurate capture of NDD symptoms. Such an automatic GAMD monitoring system has to be low-cost, and uses highly motion-sensitive sensors and accurate GAMD pattern recognition algorithms. In this chapter we have introduced our low-cost, home-oriented system architecture that aims to monitor neurodisorder patients. Our system can be used for both daytime and nighttime patient motion disorder monitoring, and link those motor disorders to specific neuro diseases. The three major contributions of this research are: (1) Adaptive determination of GAMD observation window size via on-line signal segmentation; (2) Nighttime motor disorder capture through multi-manifold fusion and learning; and (3) Daytime accurate capture of abnormal gaits through delicate signal pattern analysis. We also proposed to use both in-lab and practical clinical test to study the performance of the low-cost, home-oriented neuro-disorder monitoring platform the ItMAGIC mechanisms.

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Accuracy and Acceptability of Wearable Motion Tracking Smartwatches for Inpatient Monitoring

10.1101/2020.07.24.20160663 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chaiyawan Auepanwiriyakul ◽

Sigourney Waibel ◽

Joanna Songa ◽

Paul Bentley ◽

Aldo A. Faisal

Keyword(s):

Gold Standard ◽

Motion Tracking ◽

Low Cost ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Motion Sensors ◽

Natural Behaviour ◽

Study Results ◽

Hospital Patients ◽

Gold Standard Reference ◽

Optical Motion

: Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) within an everyday consumer smartwatch offer a convenient and low-cost method to monitor the natural behaviour of hospital patients. However, their accuracy at quantifying limb motion, and clinical acceptability, have not yet been demonstrated. To this end we conducted a two-stage study: First, we compared the inertial accuracy of wrist-worn IMUs, both research-grade (Xsens MTw Awinda, and Axivity AX3) and consumer-grade (Apple Watch Series 3 and 5), relative to gold-standard optical motion tracking (OptiTrack). Given the moderate to the strong performance of the consumer-grade sensors we then evaluated this sensor and surveyed the experiences and attitudes of hospital patients (N=44) and staff (N=15) following a clinical test in which patients wore smartwatches for 1.5-24 hours in the second study. Results indicate that for acceleration, Xsens is more accurate than the Apple smartwatches and Axivity AX3 (RMSE 0.17+/-0.01 g; R2 0.88+/-0.01; RMSE 0.22+/-0.01 g; R2 0.64+/-0.01; RMSE 0.42+/-0.01 g; R2 0.43+/-0.01, respectively). However, for angular velocity, the smartwatches are marginally more accurate than Xsens (RMSE 1.28+/-0.01 rad/s; R2 0.85+/-0.00; RMSE 1.37+/-0.01 rad/s; R2 0.82+/-0.01, respectively). Surveys indicated that in-patients and healthcare professionals strongly agreed that wearable motion sensors are easy to use, comfortable, unobtrusive, suitable for long term use, and do not cause anxiety or limit daily activities. Our results suggest that smartwatches achieved moderate to strong levels of accuracy compared to a gold-standard reference and are likely to be accepted as a pervasive measure of motion/behaviour within hospitals.

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Instrumental validity and intra/inter-rater reliability of a novel low-cost digital pressure algometer

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e10162

Author(s):

Daniel Jerez-Mayorga ◽

Carolina Fernanda dos Anjos ◽

Maria de Cássia Macedo ◽

Ilha Gonçalves Fernandes ◽

Esteban Aedo-Muñoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Standard Error ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Low Cost ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Force Platform ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Pressure Algometer ◽

Standard Error Of Measurement ◽

Error Of Measurement

Background Pain assessment is a key measure that accompanies treatments in a wide range of clinical settings. A low-cost valid and reliable pressure algometer would allow objective assessment of pressure pain to assist a variety of health professionals. However, the pressure algometer is often expensive, which limits its daily use in both clinical and research settings. Objectives This study aimed to assess the instrumental validity, and the intra- and inter-rater reliability of an inexpensive digital adapted pressure algometer. Methods A single rater applied 60 random compressions on a force platform. The pressure pain thresholds of 20 volunteers were collected twice (3 days apart) by two raters. The main outcome measurements were as follows: the maximal peak force (in kPa) and the pressure pain threshold (adapted pressure algometer vs. force platform). Cronbach’s α test was used to assess internal consistency. The standard error of measurement provided estimates of measurement error, and the measurement bias was estimated with the Bland–Altman method, with lower and upper limits of agreement. Results No differences were observed when comparing the compression results (P = 0.51). The validity and internal intra-rater consistencies ranged from 0.84 to 0.99, and the standard error of measurement from 0.005 to 0.04 kPa. Very strong (r = 0.73–0.74) to near-perfect (r = 0.99) correlations were found, with a low risk of bias for all measurements. The results demonstrated the validity and intra-rater reliability of the digitally adapted pressure algometer. Inter-rater reliability results were moderate (r = 0.55–0.60; Cronbach’s α = 0.71–0.75). Conclusion The adapted pressure algometer provide valid and reliable measurements of pressure pain threshold. The results support more widespread use of the pressure pain threshold method among clinicians.

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Designing a Multiaxial Extensometric Force Platform: A Manufacturing Experience

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10161907 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (16) ◽

pp. 1907

Author(s):

Jorge Rodolfo Beingolea ◽

Helder Andrade Rodrigues ◽

Milagros Zegarra ◽

Erasmo Sulla-Espinoza ◽

Romildo Torres-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Electromyography ◽

Low Cost ◽

Flight Time ◽

Force Platform ◽

Muscular Endurance ◽

Biomedical Analysis ◽

Electrocardiogram Ecg ◽

Electronic Technologies

Studies that lead to the development of more accessible and low-cost electronic technologies and devices for biomechanical and biomedical analysis applications are becoming increasingly needed. In this work, the development of a multiaxial extensometric force platform will be addressed, aiming to improve the sensitivity and reduce the costs of existing platforms. Additionally, this platform can be used for analysis and characterization of flight time and postural characterization of volleyball athletes. As a result, a functional and easily produced prototype was created, due to the processes used (final cost of the developed platform—USD$100). The interfaces of visualization and analysis of the device functions were designed in LabView. The purpose of the experiments is to perform flight analysis of athletes, and all functions designed for the platform strength and endurance are focused on that same purpose. The prototype’s functions were evaluated by applying loads from 700 to 1000 N (Newtons) and its future integration with other instruments such as the surface electromyography (EMG) and an electrocardiogram (ECG) is expected to form an instrument kit that improves the characterization of studies of balance, strength and muscular endurance.

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RELATIONSHIP OF FORCE PLATFORM WITH THE CLINICAL BALANCE EVALUATION SYSTEMS TEST IN OLDER ADULTS

Acta Ortopédica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1413-785220202803228895 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 111-113

Author(s):

RITA DE CÁSSIA ERNANDES ◽

GUILHERME CARLOS BRECH ◽

NATÁLIA MARIANA SILVA LUNA ◽

MICHELE FIGUEIRA NUNES ◽

JULIA MARIA D’ANDRÉA GREVE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Postural Balance ◽

Stability Limit ◽

Force Platform ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Diagnostic Study ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Balance Test ◽

The Stability ◽

Relationship Of

ABSTRACT The aging process can alter the organization of postural control causing instability; literature shows several equipment and clinical tests whose purpose is to measure postural balance, involving different protocols and methodologies. Objective: To evaluate postural balance during the task to walk over the force platform (turn and return) and its relationship with clinic balance test (BESTest) in older adults. Methods: 60 older people of both sexes, aged 60 to 79 years, were tested in the force platform (NeuroCom Balance) and BESTest to evaluate postural balance. Results: negative correlations were found when comparing domains of the clinical test with stabilometric parameters in time and velocity variables of the tests Step/Quick turn. The highest correlations were in the total score (time spent to perform the task − 0.41, and in the velocity left side − 0.33/right side − 0.43), as well as in the stability limit (time spent to perform the task left side − 0.34/right side − 0.37, and the equilibrium velocity left side − 0.37/right side − 0.43). Conclusion: There are slim correlations between the clinical test and force platform variables, showing that each test measures different parameters. Level of evidence II, Diagnostic study - investigating a diagnostic test.

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Effect of Post-Stroke Motor Training on EEG Movement-Related Cortical Potentials

10.21203/rs.3.rs-50667/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maryam Butt ◽

Golshah Naghdy ◽

Fazel Naghdy ◽

Geoffrey Murray ◽

Haiping Du

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Motor Training ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Kinematic Parameters ◽

Eeg Signals ◽

Hand Rehabilitation ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Abstract BackgroundRehabilitation of post-stroke patients with motor impairments promotes re-learning of lost motor functions through the brain neuroplasticity. Monitoring of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals has the potential to show neuroplasticity changes that take place during motor training.MethodsIn this study, an EEG-derived time-domain pattern namely movement-related cortical potential (MRCP) was deployed to assess the effect of motor training in seven post-stroke patients. Patients were divided into two groups; group A comprising four subjects with supratentorial lesions and group B consisting of three subjects with infratentorial lesions. Both groups participated in motor training with an AMADEO hand rehabilitation device. During pre and post-training periods, EEG signals at eight selected electrodes were recorded. In addition, hand-kinematic parameters, and clinical tests were measured at the beginning and the end of all training sessions.ResultsThe negative peak of the MRCP signals decreased at all electrodes and reached significance in seven of eight electrodes for group A after 12 training sessions, while it was decreased at all electrodes and reached significance in two of eight electrodes for group B after 24 sessions according to paired t-test (p < 0.05). Moreover, these MRCP changes correlated with improvements in kinematic parameters and clinical test results for both groups.ConclusionsThis study shows that robot-assisted training that improves clinical outcomes is associated with MRCP pattern changes. Subjects with infratentorial strokes improved slower clinically compared to subjects with supratentorial strokes. This was consistent with the longer rehabilitation required for this group of patients to produce significant changes in MRCP. The reduction of negative peaks of the MRCP signal indicates that neurological pathways are established and less cortical resources are needed for motor tasks. This study demonstrates the significance of EEG as a practical and low-cost tool in detecting patterns associated with brain neuroplasticity in the course of motor re-learning. Ethics ApprovalThe procedures performed in this study were approved by the University of Wollongong Ethics Committee (Ethics application number: 2014/400) on 03/07/2017.

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