Standing Balance: Quantification and the Impact of Visual Sensory Input

Aims

This experiment aims at quantifying the standing balance of subjects using Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and to estimate the importance of visual sensory input for balance and stability of subjects.

Methods

A Total of 24 subjects participated in the tests. Mean age of the participated subjects is 44±20 years. In this work, we propose a system consisting of an IMU, a wobble board and a motion display system for real-time visual feedback for standing balance measurement. The standing balance is measured for two experimental conditions; with real time visual feedback and without visual feedback along the sagittal plane and the coronal plane. The display unit gives the real time orientation of the wobble board, based on which the subject applies necessary corrective forces to maintain neutral position. This helps in estimating the importance of visual sensory input for balance and stability of each subject. The subject is made to stand on the wobble board and the angular orientation of the wobble board is recorded for every 0.1 second time interval. The signal is analyzed using discrete Fourier transform. We quantify balance and stability using power spectral density.

Results&conclusions

The subjects have better stability with real-time visual feedback as compared to stability without feedback along both the plane. This methodology is extremely useful in quantifying the standing balance of a subject, based on which, suitable physical therapy/ exercises can be suggested to the subject. The technique of visual feedback helps in enhancing the stability and can play crucial role in sports rehabilitation and geriatrics.