System for Game-like Therapy in Balance Issues Using Audiovisual Feedback and Force Platform

• Published in: Electronics (Basel) 2022-04, Vol.11 (8), p.1179
• Main Authors: Janatová, Markéta, Pětioký, Jakub, Hoidekrová, Kristýna, Veselý, Tomáš, Hána, Karel, Smrčka, Pavel, Štěpánek, Lubomír, Lippert-Grünerová, Marcela, Jeřábek, Jaroslav
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Back pain; Feedback; Force plates; Games; Patients; Portable equipment; Posture; Rehabilitation; Sensors; Sensory feedback; Software; Therapy; Training
• ISSN: 2079-9292; 2079-9292
• DOI: 10.3390/electronics11081179

Background: The aim of the work is to verify the usability of a stabilometric platform and audiovisual feedback in the group-based therapy of patients with vertebral algic syndrome, to analyze an immediate effect after a single therapeutic unit, and to analyze differences between male and female probands. Methods: The study included 189 patients (90 male, age 55 ± 12 and 89 female, age 52 ± 12). All patients received group balance therapy with a portable medical device, Homebalance MA. The intervention consisted of measurement of quiet stance and a reference training scene before and after 15 min of game-like balance training with audiovisual feedback. Results: A statistically significantly lower value of the body sway trajectory during quiet stance was detected in men than in women. After a single therapy session, there was a statistically significant improvement in quiet stance with visual feedback, and marginal statistically significant improvement in the time required to complete the reference training scene. Conclusions: Homebalance MA is a utilizable tool for group therapy. The use of group game-like balance training increases the availability of physiotherapeutic intervention for a larger number of patients, while maintaining the positive effect of the therapy.