Goal-Oriented Balance Rehabilitation System For Balance Disorder

 I don't see a written protocol from this; SO USELESS!

Goal-Oriented Balance Rehabilitation System For Balance Disorder

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2025.104386Get rights and content

Highlights

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  Developed a cost-effective balance rehab system using sensors and interactive games.
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  Conducted a clinical trial with 36 patients with orthopedic and neurological balance issues.
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  Used Intrinsic Motivation Inventory to find 91% enjoyed the system, 98% saw benefits.
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  Adjusted exercise difficulty for each patient, showing potential for personalized treatment.

Abstract

Balance is a critical component of daily activities and overall quality of life. This study aims to develop a cost-effective exercise system for the rehabilitation of balance disorders by combining a sensor module with target-oriented video games. The system, designed using a microcontroller-controlled sensor module and Unity game engine, features a game component that provides visual feedback and is synchronized with the platform movements. The system detects the patient's movements on the platform and translates them into simultaneous movements of the game character, enhancing both therapy participation and patient motivation. A clinical trial was conducted with 36 patients suffering from orthopedic and neurological balance disorders. The Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was used to analyze the scores obtained during the clinical evaluation. The results indicate that 91.96% of participants found the system engaging, and 97.70% believed it would contribute positively to their treatment process. The results indicate that game-based balance exercises contribute to rehabilitation by increasing patient motivation. This study highlights the potential of target-oriented games in balance therapy and suggests that future improvements, such as incorporating patient monitoring features and advanced hardware, along with 3D game designs, could further enhance the system's effectiveness.

Introduction

Maintaining balance is essential for executing everyday tasks such as standing, climbing stairs, or walking on uneven surfaces. This is especially important for older adults, as impaired balance significantly elevates the risk of falls and related injuries. Studies have demonstrated that regular, balance-focused exercise can effectively enhance postural stability and reduce fall risk [1].

Balance refers to the body's ability to maintain its center of gravity over its base of support and is a key determinant of quality of life. It is generally classified into two types: static balance (maintaining a position) and dynamic balance (controlling the body during movement) [2]. Recent research has emphasized the advantages of interactive game-based rehabilitation approaches in improving balance. These methods, particularly those involving visual video games, not only increase patient engagement but also improve motivation and potentially accelerate recovery [3], [4].

Currently, alongside traditional physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques, visual feedback technologies are employed in the treatment of balance disorders. However, their application is constrained by the high cost of such systems. This study aims to develop a balance exercise system(WHERE THE FUCK IS THE PROTOCOL LOCATED?) that integrates a pre-existing platform featuring a visually interactive video game. This system is specifically designed for the lower extremities to support physical therapy and rehabilitation in patients experiencing orthopedic and neurological balance disorders due to factors such as accidents, injuries, or aging. The primary objective of this system is to improve the healing process by increasing patient engagement and motivation, thus improving participation in treatment and accelerating recovery for individuals with balance impairments.

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