Measuring of the Energy Expenditure during Balance Training Using Wearable Electronics

Abstract

Homebalance Stability medical device, based on audio-visual feedback and Nintendo Wii Balance Board, is a suitable tool for telerehabilitation of balance issues in patients with brain damage. The main goal was to expand the system by energy expenditure measurements and to verify the usability of the telemetric mobile device FlexiGuard. We used the FlexiGuard system (developed at our institute) and Oxycon (JAEGER® Oxycon Mobile, Germany) to measure the energy expenditure. We performed measurements on eight probands. Each proband underwent six activities for a total length of 90 min. During these activities, we measured energy expenditure using Oxycon and heart rate using the FlexiGuard system, from which we calculated the energy expenditure. By comparing the energy expenditure from measuring the heart rate with the FlexiGuard system with that from the Oxycon reference device, we verified the applicability of the FlexiGuard system for estimation energy expenditure. The average deviation from the reference instrument was under 30%. The conventional method, such as Oxycon, cannot be used during home therapy. Therefore, we upgraded the platform of our telemetry system (FlexiGuard), which can measure the heart rate and calculate the energy expenditure.

Game-based virtual reality solution for post-stroke balance rehabilitation

“…The significant advantage in the case of stabilometric tests is that it eliminates the human factor in the measurement chain and, therefore, the source of errors from the subjectivity of the evaluator. Furthermore, in the diagnosis and treatment process, the use of modern transducers [19], which transform the forces that appear at the support surface of the subject (see Figure 1) into electrical signals, measurable, processable, and comparable, is a real advantage. To determine the position of the center of pressure (CoP), we establish the origin of the axes in the center of the platform (Figure 1) and write the following equations: where F z is the z-axis resultant of forces, M x and M y are the moments on the x and y-axis, respectively.…”

Impact of Exercise Guidance Timing on Physical and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

“…Indeed, this benefit of real time feedback is what the rehabilitation experts have been taken advantage of in order to build 2D, 3D, virtual reality, and augmented reality games for the rehabilitation of neurological patients [24] and for improving core stability and balance in elderly people [25]. The rich stimuli environment, with the continuous audiovisual feedback, that virtual reality training can provide enhances the learning process of new exercise strategies and it has been extensively used for improving balance and gait in older adults [26][27][28]. However, these new technological devices, wearable electronics, immersive virtual environments and virtual-reality-based games, although very promising and user friendly, have not been thoroughly investigated for the side effects that may be caused, such as dizziness and eye fatigue [29].…”