SISTEMA ETHEL PARA EXAMES DE POSTUROGRAFIA UTILIZANDO WII BALANCE BOARD

A posturografia tem sido usada, por profissionais da saúde, para avaliar a oscilação corporal e mudanças na postura de indivíduos. Entretanto o seu uso é limitado devido ao alto custo dos sistemas utilizados na sua implementação. Equipada com sensores de pressão, a plataforma de jogos Wii Balance Board ™ (WBB) pode ser usada como uma plataforma de força de baixo custo para sistemas de posturografia. No entanto, os sistemas para a implementação desta técnica usando WBB são bastante limitados. Neste artigo apresentamos o sistema Ethel, que nos permite capturar e processar sinais de WBB e calcular parâmetros quantitativos usados na posturografia. Técnicas de aquisição e processamento de sinais foram implementadas no sistema e incorporadas com interface gráfica amigável, além de um sistema de banco de dados que foi projetado para armazenar os resultados dos exames médicos. Uma metodologia de calibração e validação da plataforma também foi implementada e os resultados preliminares obtidos com esta solução são apresentados. O Ethel se apresenta como uma alternativa viável, de baixo custo e acessível por ser implementada como uma solução baseada em software livre.

Empirical Evidence for the Functionality Hypothesis in Motor Learning: The Effect of an Attentional Focus Is Task Dependent

A large body of research suggests that during learning motor skills, focusing on environmental effects of the movement (external focus) generally leads to better performance than focusing on one’s own body (internal focus). The functionality hypothesis states, in contrast, that the superiority of any attentional focus is task dependent. The present study aimed to test the predictions of the latter and searched for underlying mechanisms and task characteristics for one or the other focus being more functional. In Experiment 1, we examined whether the internal focus is superior in a difficult body-oriented balance task. In Experiment 2, we added visual feedback and investigated whether this would enhance the functionality of the external focus. In both experiments, the participants stood one-legged on a balance board and had to shift their centre of pressure (COP) to predefined target points. Per instruction, they were asked to interpret their attentional focus on the COP as either internal (the sole of the foot) or external (the platform). In Experiment 1, the external focus was induced through a mental image. The internal focus group performed significantly better, thereby supporting the functionality hypothesis. In Experiment 2, the COP was dynamically visualized on a screen. The internal focus superiority vanished. We suggest that the internal focus is more functional in motor-learning situations that provide more effect information through body-internal senses than through body-external senses. In these cases, the external focus hampers learning because it is associated with additional cognitive load.

The Effects of Sit-to-Stand Training Combined with Real-Time Visual Feedback on Strength, Balance, Gait Ability, and Quality of Life in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to investigate the effects of lower limbs muscles’ strength, balance, walking, and quality of life through sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback (RVF-STS group) in patients with stroke and to compare the effects of classic sit-to-stand training (C-STS group). Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into two groups. The RVF-STS group received sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback using a Wii Balance Board (n = 15), and the C-STS group received classic sit-to-stand training (n = 15). All participants received training for 20 min once a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks, and both groups underwent general physical therapy for 30 min before training. Before and after the training, the muscle strength of the hip flexor, abductor, and knee extensor were measured, and the Wii Balance Board was used to perform the center of pressure test and Berg Balance Scale to evaluate static and dynamic balance. Additionally, the 10 m walking test and the Timed Up and Go test were performed to evaluate gait function. The Stroke-Specific Quality of Life was used to measure the quality of life. The results showed that the lower extremity muscle strength, balance ability, walking ability, and quality of life of the RVF-STS group significantly improved in comparison of the pre- and post-differences (p < 0.05), and it also showed significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). This study showed that sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback was effective at improving the muscle strength of the lower extremities, balance, gait, and quality of life in patients with stroke. Therefore, repeating sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback could be used as an effective treatment method for patients with stroke.

The Effect of Hippotherapy on Balance and Coordination in Mentally Disabled Children

Objective: The development of psychomotor skills in individuals with mental disabilities progresses more slowly than their healthy peers. Therefore, it is very important for individuals with mental disabilities to do activities for the development of psychomotor skills. This study aims to examine the effects of hippotherapy training on balance and coordination skills in children with moderate and severe mental disabilities. Materials and Methods: 40 students with moderate and severe mental disabilities, between the ages of 14-20, who continue their education in Erzurum Special Education Practice School, 3rd Grade, participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups of 20 people as the hippotherapy group (HG) and the control group (CG). Before starting the study, the height and age of all students were recorded, and their body weights were measured with digital scales. Flamingo balance test to measure balance skills, balance board test, touch test to measure coordination skills, T agility test, and Illinois agility test and sit-and-reach test for flexibility skills were applied as a pre-test to the individuals. After the pre-tests were completed, 20 subjects in the hippotherapy group participated in the 20-minute hippotherapy training twice a week for 8 weeks at Atatürk University Hippotherapy and Olympic Equestrian Facilities. The control group did not participate in any application. The final tests of the subjects were carried out in the week after the hippotherapy training was completed. Results: After eight weeks of hippotherapy, there was no significant change in the body composition of the subjects in moderate and severe levels in the hippotherapy group, yet positive significant changes were determined in balance, coordination, and flexibility skills. No significant changes occurred in the subjects in the control group. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was determined that hippotherapy positively affected balance, coordination, and flexibility skills in individuals with moderate and severe mental disabilities. Keywords: Mental disability, hippotherapy, balance, coordination, flexibility

AVALIAÇÃO DO EQUILÍBRIO ESTÁTICO EM JOVENS COM SÍNDROME DE DOWN PELO NINTENDO® WII BALANCE BOARD™

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o equilíbrio estático em 160 participantes, entre 7 e 14 anos, sendo 80 com Síndrome de Down (GSD) e 80 no grupo controle (GC), em condições olhos abertos (OA) e olhos fechados (OF). Os dados foram coletados com uso do Balance Board™ (BB) do Nintendo® Wii Fit pelo software LabView e processados para cálculo do deslocamento do centro de pressão. Verificou-se o GSD apresentou maior amplitude e velocidade de oscilação que o GC, tanto nas condições OA quanto OF. Notou-se que o BB foi eficiente para avaliação do equilíbrio, reforçando os achados da literatura sobre as características na população estudada e que novos estudos devem ser feitos com equipamentos de baixo custo para avaliação do equilíbrio postural.