Ma Christina Zong-Hao, Lee Winson Chiu-Chun
Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; Rehabilitation Engineering Research Institute, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China.
Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
Hum Mov Sci. 2017 Oct;55:54-60. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2017.07.006. Epub 2017 Jul 29.
Maintaining postural equilibrium requires fast reactions and constant adjustments of the center of mass (CoM) position to prevent falls, especially when there is a sudden perturbation of the support surface. During this study, a newly developed wearable feedback system provided immediate vibrotactile clues to users based on plantar force measurement, in an attempt to reduce reaction time and CoM displacement in response to a perturbation of the floor. Ten healthy young adults participated in this study. They stood on a support surface, which suddenly moved in one of four horizontal directions (forward, backward, left and right), with the biofeedback system turned on or off. The testing sequence of the four perturbation directions and the two system conditions (turned on or off) was randomized. The resulting reaction time and CoM displacement were analysed. Results showed that the vibrotactile feedback system significantly improved balance control during translational perturbations. The positive results of this preliminary study highlight the potential of a plantar force measurement based biofeedback system in improving balance under perturbations of the support surface. Future system optimizations could facilitate its application in fall prevention in real life conditions, such as standing in buses or trains that suddenly decelerate or accelerate.
维持姿势平衡需要快速反应，并不断调整重心（CoM）位置以防止跌倒，尤其是在支撑面突然受到扰动时。在本研究中，一种新开发的可穿戴反馈系统基于足底力测量为用户提供即时振动触觉线索，试图减少对地面扰动的反应时间和CoM位移。十名健康的年轻成年人参与了本研究。他们站在一个支撑面上，支撑面突然向四个水平方向之一（向前、向后、向左和向右）移动，同时生物反馈系统开启或关闭。四个扰动方向和两种系统状态（开启或关闭）的测试顺序是随机的。对由此产生的反应时间和CoM位移进行了分析。结果表明，振动触觉反馈系统在平移扰动期间显著改善了平衡控制。这项初步研究的积极结果凸显了基于足底力测量的生物反馈系统在支撑面受到扰动时改善平衡的潜力。未来的系统优化可以促进其在现实生活条件下预防跌倒中的应用，例如站在突然减速或加速的公共汽车或火车上。
