Energetic assessment of trunk postural modifications induced by a wearable audio-biofeedback system

Med Eng Phys. 2009 Jan;31(1):48-54. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2008.04.004. Epub 2008 Jul 3.

Abstract

This paper investigates the trunk postural modifications induced by a wearable device which assesses the trunk sway and provides biofeedback information through sonification of trunk kinematics. The device is based on an inertial wearable sensing unit including three mono-axial accelerometers and three rate gyroscopes embedded and mounted orthogonally. The biofeedback device was tested on nine healthy subjects during quiet stance in different conditions of sensory limitation eyes closed on solid surface, eyes open on foam cushion surface, eyes closed on foam cushion surface. Five trials were performed for each condition; the order of the trials was randomized. The results reported in this paper show how subjects reduced their rotational kinetic energy by using the biofeedback information and how this reduction was related to the limitation of sensory information.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Audiology
  • Biofeedback, Psychology / instrumentation*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Posture / physiology*