scholarly journals Using Inertial Sensors to Quantify Postural Sway and Gait Performance during the Tandem Walking Test

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung Kim ◽  
Yoav Gimmon ◽  
Jennifer Millar ◽  
Michael Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Gait Control ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Gait Performance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Vestibular Hypofunction ◽  
Eyes Open

Vestibular dysfunction typically manifests as postural instability and gait irregularities, in part due to inaccuracies in processing spatial afference. In this study, we have instrumented the tandem walking test with multiple inertial sensors to easily and precisely investigate novel variables that can distinguish abnormal postural and gait control in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction. Ten healthy adults and five patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction were assessed with the tandem walking test during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Each subject donned five inertial sensors on the upper body (head, trunk, and pelvis) and lower body (each lateral malleolus). Our results indicate that measuring the degree of balance and gait regularity using five body-worn inertial sensors during the tandem walking test provides a novel quantification of movement that identifies abnormalities in patients with vestibular impairment.

scholarly journals Head Stabilization During Standing in People with Persisting Symptoms after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Fino ◽  
Tiphanie E Raffegeau ◽  
Lucy Parrington ◽  
Robert J Peterka ◽  
Laurie A. King
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lumbar Region ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open

ABSTRACTIncreased postural sway is often observed in people with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but our understanding of how individuals with mTBI control their head during stance is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine if people with mTBI exhibit increased sway at the head compared with healthy controls. People with persisting symptoms after mTBI (n = 59, 41 women) and control participants (n = 63, 38 women) stood quietly for one minute in four conditions: eyes open on a firm surface (EO-firm), eyes closed on a firm surface (EC-firm), eyes open on a foam pad (EO-foam), and eyes closed on foam (EC-foam). Inertial sensors at the head, sternum, and lumbar region collected tri-axial accelerations. Root-mean-square (RMS) accelerations in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. Sway ratios between the head and sternum, head and lumbar, and sternum and lumbar region, were compared between groups. Temporal coupling of anti-phase motion between the upper and lower body angular accelerations was assessed with magnitude squared coherence and cross-spectral phase angles. People with mTBI demonstrated greater sway than controls across conditions and directions. During foam-surface conditions, the control group, but not the mTBI group, reduced ML sway at their head and trunk relative to their lumbar by increasing the expression of an anti-phase hip strategy within the frontal plane. These results are consistent with suggestions of inflexible or inappropriate postural control in people with mTBI.

Body-Worn Sensors Are a Valid Alternative to Forceplates for Measuring Balance in Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-233
Author(s):  
Vincent Shieh ◽  
Ashwini Sansare ◽  
Minal Jain ◽  
Thomas Bulea ◽  
Martina Mancini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Quiet Stance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open

Aims: Clinical evaluation of balance has relied on forceplate systems as the gold standard for postural sway measures. Recently, systems based on wireless inertial sensors have been explored, mostly in the adult population, as an alternative given their practicality and lower cost. Our goal was to validate body-worn sensors against forceplate balance measures in typically developing children during tests of quiet stance. Methods: 18 participants (8 males) 7 to 17 years old performed a quiet stance test standing on a forceplate while wearing 3 inertial sensors. Three 30-second trials were performed under 4 conditions: firm surface with eyes open and closed, and foam surface with eyes open and closed. Sway area, path length, and sway velocity were calculated. Results: We found 20 significant and 8 non-significant correlations. Variables found to be significant were represented across all conditions, except for the foam eyes closed condition. Conclusions: These results support the validity of wearable sensors in measuring postural sway in children. Inertial sensors may represent a viable alternative to the gold standard forceplate to test static balance in children.

scholarly journals Altering Visual Feedback Conditions Impacts Postural Sway Performance in Children After Controlling for Body Mass Index and Habitual Physical Activity

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Duncan ◽  
Elizabeth Bryant ◽  
Mike Price ◽  
Samuel Oxford ◽  
Emma Eyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Computerized Posturography ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Anterior Posterior

This study examined postural sway in children in eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions, controlling for body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). Sixty two children (aged 8–11years) underwent sway assessment using computerized posturography from which 95% ellipse sway area, anterior/posterior (AP) sway, medial/lateral (ML) sway displacement and sway velocity were assessed. Six trials were performed alternatively in EO and EC. BMI (kg/m2) was determined from height and mass. PA was determined using sealed pedometry. AP amplitude (p = .038), ML amplitude (p = .001), 95% ellipse (p = .0001), and sway velocity (p = .012) were higher in EC compared with EO conditions. BMI and PA were not significant as covariates. None of the sway variables were significantly related to PA. However, sway velocity during EO (p = .0001) and EC (p = .0001) was significantly related to BMI. These results indicate that sway is poorer when vision is removed, that BMI influences sway velocity, but that pedometer-assessed PA was not associated with postural sway.

Reliability of Force-Platform Measures of Postural Sway and Expertise-Related Differences

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohreh Meshkati ◽  
Mehdi Namazizadeh ◽  
Mahyar Salavati ◽  
Masood Mazaheri
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Specific Property ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Eyes Open

Context:Although reliability is a population-specific property, few studies have investigated the measurement error associated with force-platform parameters in athletic populations.Objective:To investigate the skill-related differences between athletes and nonathletes in reliability of center-of-pressure (COP) summary measures under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions.Design:Test–retest reliability study.Setting:COP was recorded during double-leg quiet standing on a Kistler force platform before and after a fatiguing treadmill exercise, with EO and EC.Participants:31 male participants including 15 athletes practiced in karate and 16 nonathletes.Main Outcome Measures:Standard deviation (SD) of amplitude, phase-plane portrait, SD of velocity, mean total velocity, and area were calculated from 30-s COP data. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement, and coefficient of variation (CV) were used as estimates of reliability and precision.Results:Higher ICCs were found for COP measures in the athlete (compared with the nonathlete) group, postfatigued (compared with prefatigued) condition, and EC (compared with EO) tests. CVs smaller than 15% were obtained for most of the COP measures. SD of velocity in the anteroposterior direction showed the highest reliability in most conditions.Conclusions:Tests with EC and to a lesser extent tests performed in the athlete group and in the postfatigued condition showed better reliability.

Control of Stance and Developmental Coordination Disorder: The Role of Visual Information

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eryk P. Przysucha ◽  
M. Jane Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Path Length ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Total Path Length ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Stability Limits ◽  
Coordination Disorder

The purpose of this study was to compare the postural sway profiles of 20 boys with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) on two conditions of a quiet standing task: eyes open and eyes closed. Anterior-posterior (AP) sway, medio-lateral sway (LAT), area of sway, total path length, and Romberg’s quotient were analyzed. When visual information was available, there was no difference between groups in LAT sway or path length. However, boys with DCD demonstrated more AP sway (p < .01) and greater area of sway (p < .03), which resulted in pronounced excursions closer to their stability limits. Analysis of Romberg’s quotient indicated that boys with DCD did not over-rely on visual information.

scholarly journals Investigation of Balance in Old People Residing in Nursing Homes Using Clinical Assessments

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Sogol Zeinali ◽  
◽  
Zahra Olyaei ◽  
Benyamin Kor ◽  
Maryam Binesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Old People ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinical Assessments ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open

Background and Objectives: Balance problems are the main cause of falls and fall-related complications in the elderly. The objective of this study was to investigate the balance in old people residing in nursing homes using clinical assessments. Methods: A total of 54 people participated in this cross-sectional study. Timed Up and Go (TUG) was used to assess balance regarding mobility impairments. The modified Clinical Test Of Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB) was also used to assess balance regarding sensory problems. This test was used in 4 conditions: standing with eyes open on a firm surface, standing with eyes closed on a firm surface, standing with eyes open on a compliant foam, and standing with eyes closed on a compliant foam. Data analysis was done by SPSS V. 18 software. Results: The mean time for the completion of TUG was significantly higher than standard scores in all age groups (P<0.05). Postural sway during standing with eyes closed on the ground, eyes open and eyes closed on the foam was more than standing with eyes open on the ground (P<0.001). Postural sway in standing with eyes closed on the foam was more in comparison with standing with eyes closed on the ground and eyes open on the foam (P<0.001). Conclusion: Elderly people living in nursing homes had poorer motor skills to maintain balance. They also showed greater dependence on visual and sensory systems to maintain balance.

scholarly journals Impact of Single Bout of Physical Exercise on Adolescents’ Strength and Balance Abilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (96) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Kreivėnaitė ◽  
Vytautas Streckis ◽  
Sandra Raizgytė ◽  
Asta Lileikienė
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
High Intensity Exercise ◽  
Body Balance ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Single Bout ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
The Impact

Background. There is evidence of physical exercise effect on the adolescents’ balance and strength; however it is not known how aforementioned variables respond to physical exercise with different loads and intensities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the impact of single bout of physical exercise of different intensity on adolescents’ body balance and muscular strength.Methods. Thirty healthy, physically active 11–13-year-old adolescents were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. Both groups performed single bout of physical exercise of high- or low-intensity climbing up and down-stairs. Postural sway and maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) were assessed before and after physical exercise. Results. No statistically significant impact of low or high intensity exercise was found at adolescents’ MVC. High intensity exercise influenced bigger postural sway with eyes closed compared to eyes open ( p < .05). After high-intensity exercise there was a significantly greater postural sway with eyes closed than with eyes open (p < .05). Conclusions. High and low intensity physical exercise had no impact on the adolescents’ maximum voluntary contraction, whereas high intensity exercise deteriorated body balance with eyes closed.Keywords:  adolescence, physical exercise, MVC, balance

scholarly journals The measurable parameters of balance trainings in case of young healthy adults: Improved balance confidence or better postural stability? A pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Posa ◽  
D. Farkasinszky ◽  
T. Margithazi ◽  
E. Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Healthy Female ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Support Surfaces ◽  
Base Of Support

AbstractPurposeThe objective of this pilot study was to compare the effects of two parallel balance trainings on postural sway and balance confidence. The study was performed in different contexts with stable vs. unstable base of support and balance confidence was measured with a scale modified for young adults with higher functional level.Materials/methodsTwenty healthy female physiotherapist students volunteered for the study and took part in a six-week balance training intervention. They were randomly assigned to two groups training on different support surfaces. Postural sway was recorded under various conditions: on different surfaces (firm, foam) and with different visual conditions (eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC)). Modified Activities-specific Balance Confidence (mABC) scale was self-evaluated.ResultsBoth types of training caused a significant improvement in the mABC scores. The sway path increased after the training in the less challenging balance situations. We found a tendency of decreasing sway path only in the more challenging balance situations, that is standing on foam mounted on force plate with EC.ConclusionsConsidering the improved balance confidence in the case of both groups, we suggest that an increase in sway path after balance training may be the behavioural sign of the higher confidence in the less challenging balance situations.

scholarly journals Effect of a “T-Band” Kick Training Protocol on Postural Sway

1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Baker ◽  
William G. Webright ◽  
David H. Perrin
Keyword(s):  
Postural Sway ◽  
Stability Index ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Proprioceptive Training ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Training Protocol

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a resistive tubing kick training protocol on postural sway in uninjured collegiate wrestlers. An experimental group (n= 10) performed a progressive resistive tubing kick training protocol three times per week for 6 weeks. A control group (n= 9) performed no resistive tubing training during the 6 weeks. Postural sway (stability index) was assessed before and after the 6-week training period. ANOVAs demonstrated no significant interactions, although significant main effects were found for group and eye condition. The experimental group demonstrated less postural sway than the control group regardless of training, and postural sway was greater with the eyes closed than with the eyes open. Resistive tubing kick training does not significantly improve postural sway in healthy collegiate wrestlers. Further research should examine the potential benefits of proprioceptive training using a greater intensity of training and/or using subjects who have a greater potential for improvement.

Quantitative body symmetry assessment during neurological examination

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-584
Author(s):  
Kristina Daunoraviciene ◽  
Jurgita Ziziene ◽  
Agne Ovcinikova ◽  
Rasa Kizlaitiene ◽  
Julius Griskevicius
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Body Asymmetry ◽  
Upper And Lower Extremities ◽  
Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽  
Measurement Units

BACKGROUND: A lack of movement coordination characterized by the undershoot or overshoot of the intended location with the hand, arm, or leg is often found in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Standardized as Finger-to-Nose (FNT) and The Heel-to-Shin (HST) tests are the most frequently used tests for qualitative examination of upper and lower body coordination. Inertial sensors facilitate in performing quantitative motion analysis and by estimating body symmetry more accurately assess coordination lesion and imbalance. OBJECTIVES: To assess the body symmetry of upper and lower limbs quantitatively, and to find the best body symmetry indices to discriminate MS from healthy individuals (CO). METHODS: 28 MS patients and 23 CO participated in the study. Spatiotemporal parameters obtained from six Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were placed on the upper and lower extremities during FNT and HST tests. All data were analyzed using statistical methods in MATLAB. RESULTS: Asymmetry indices of temporal parameters showed a significant increase in upper body and lower body asymmetry of MS compared to CO. However, CO have a greater kinematic asymmetry compared to MS. CONCLUSION: Temporal parameters are the most sensitive to body asymmetry evaluation. However, range of motion is completely inappropriate if it is calculated for one movement cycle.

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