| 1. |
- Elhadi, Mustafa M. O., et al.
(författare)
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Comprehensive gait analysis of healthy older adults who have undergone long-distance walking
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. - : Human Kinetics. - 1063-8652 .- 1543-267X. ; 25:3, s. 367-377
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many older adults do not adhere to the recommended physical activity levels. This study examines the gait changes upon longdistance walking among healthy older adults. Gait tests of 24 adults aged 65 or more were conducted at baseline and at the end of 30 and 60min of treadmill walking. Spatial temporal, kinematic, and kinetic gait data were computed. Perceived level of exertion was evaluated for each subject. Ten subjects (group B) perceived higher exertion levels than the remaining 14 subjects (group A). After walking, group B had significant reductions in dominant-side ankle joint range of motion and power, suggesting lower-leg muscle fatigue, which appeared to be compensated by significantly increased nondominant-side knee and hip motions. These changes were not observed in group A. Differences in gait parameters between groups A and B implied that some biomechanical factors might contribute to the lack of walking of some older adults.
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| 2. |
- Ma, Christina Zong-Hao, et al.
(författare)
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A vibrotactile and plantar force measurement-based biofeedback system : Paving the way towards wearable balance-improving devices
- 2015
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Ingår i: Sensors. - : MDPI. - 1424-8220. ; 15:12, s. 31709-31722
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although biofeedback systems have been used to improve balance with success, they were confined to hospital training applications. Little attempt has been made to investigate the use of in-shoe plantar force measurement and wireless technology to turn hospital training biofeedback systems into wearable devices. This research developed a wearable biofeedback system which detects body sway by analyzing the plantar force and provides users with the corresponding haptic cues. The effects of this system were evaluated in thirty young and elderly subjects with simulated reduced foot sensation. Subjects performed a Romberg test under three conditions: (1) no socks, system turned-off; (2) wearing five layers of socks, system turned-off; (3) wearing five layers of socks, and system turned-on. Degree of body sway was investigated by computing the center of pressure (COP) movement measured by a floor-mounted force platform. Plantar tactile sensation was evaluated using a monofilament test. Wearing multiple socks significantly decreased the plantar tactile sensory input (p < 0.05), and increased the COP parameters (p < 0.017), indicating increased postural sway. After turning on the biofeedback system, the COP parameters decreased significantly (p < 0.017). The positive results of this study should inspire future development of wearable plantar force-based biofeedback systems for improving balance in people with sensory deficits.
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| 3. |
- Ma, Christina Zong-Hao, et al.
(författare)
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Balance improvement effects of biofeedback systems with state-of-the-art wearable sensors : A systematic review
- 2016
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Ingår i: Sensors. - : MDPI. - 1424-8220. ; 16:4
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Falls and fall-induced injuries are major global public health problems. Balance and gait disorders have been the second leading cause of falls. Inertial motion sensors and force sensors have been widely used to monitor both static and dynamic balance performance. Based on the detected performance, instant visual, auditory, electrotactile and vibrotactile biofeedback could be provided to augment the somatosensory input and enhance balance control. This review aims to synthesize the research examining the effect of biofeedback systems, with wearable inertial motion sensors and force sensors, on balance performance. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials were included in this review. All studies were evaluated based on the methodological quality. Sample characteristics, device design and study characteristics were summarized. Most previous studies suggested that biofeedback devices were effective in enhancing static and dynamic balance in healthy young and older adults, and patients with balance and gait disorders. Attention should be paid to the choice of appropriate types of sensors and biofeedback for different intended purposes. Maximizing the computing capacity of the micro-processer, while minimizing the size of the electronic components, appears to be the future direction of optimizing the devices. Wearable balance-improving devices have their potential of serving as balance aids in daily life, which can be used indoors and outdoors.
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| 4. |
- Ma, Christina Zong-Hao, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of orthopedic insoles on static balance of older adults wearing thick socks
- 2018
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Ingår i: Prosthetics and Orthotics International. - : Sage Publications. - 0309-3646 .- 1746-1553. ; 42:3, s. 357-362
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The wearing of socks and insoles may affect the ability of the foot to detect tactile input influencing postural balance.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether (1) thick socks adversely affected the elderly postural balance and (2) orthopedic insoles could improve the elderly postural balance while wearing thick socks.Study design: Repeated-measures study design. Methods: In total, 14 healthy older adults were recruited. A monofilament test was conducted to evaluate foot plantar sensation with and without thick socks. Subjects then performed the Romberg tests under three conditions: (1) barefoot, (2) with socks only, and (3) with both socks and insoles. Postural balance was assessed by measuring the center of pressure movement during standing in each experimental condition.Results: Thick socks significantly decreased the monofilament score (p < 0.001), suggesting reduction in ability to detect external forces. All center of pressure parameters increased significantly while wearing thick socks (p < 0.017), implying reduction of postural stability. They then decreased significantly with the additional use of insoles (p < 0.017).Conclusion: Previous studies have documented the changes in plantar pressure distribution with the use of orthopedic insoles. This study further suggests that such changes in contact mechanics could produce some balance-improving effects, which appears not to have been reported earlier.Clinical relevance: Wearing thick socks reduces plantar pressure sensitivity and increases postural sway which may increase risk of falls. Orthopedic insoles and footwear with similar design could potentially be a cost-effective method in maintaining postural balance when wearing thick socks.
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| 5. |
- Ma, Christina Zong-Hao, et al.
(författare)
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Improving Postural Control Using a Portable Plantar PressurebasedVibrotactile Biofeedback System
- 2014
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A portable and lightweight vibrotactile biofeedback system is introduced here which acts as a real-time balance aid. The biofeedback system provided users with vibrotactile stimulation based on changes in plantar pressure distribution. An experiment was conducted to investigate its effectiveness in improvement of postural control. A Romberg test was performed requesting the subjects to stand as still as possible, while the degree of body sway was measured by a force platform. Two young healthy subjects and one older healthy subject participated in the study. A wearing wool socks and eye-closed intervention was used to simulate reduced sensory input, and the effect of provision of vibrotactile feedback was studied. The experiment was conducted in 3 conditions: 1) bare feet, eyes open (baseline), 2) wearing 5 layers of wool socks, eyes closed, 3) wearing 5 layers of socks, eyes closed, with biofeedback system turned-on. The range, root mean square (RMS) and coefficient of variance (CV) of center of pressure (COP) were studied. Results indicated a significant increase of postural sway after the intervention of reducing sensory inputs, and a considerable reduction of postural sway upon using the vibrotactile feedback reminding body motion in four directions. These results suggested that vibrotactile biofeedback system is effective in improving postural control of subjects. Future studies about the effects of this biofeedback system on dynamic balance control and gait are needed.
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