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Balance Trainer
Software Balance
Trainer is a tool designed for balance research, assessment, rehabilitation,
and training. Balance Trainer incorporates a versatile balance feedback
system with traditional software for static balance measurements. The
software package includes powerful tools for the analysis and documentation
of clinical and research balance studies. The Balance Trainer software was
written for use with the AccuswayPlus
portable balance platform, and the entire package can be run off of a simple
notebook computer. ·
Balance Feedback o
Real-time visual
balance feedback o
Programmable
visual targets and obstacles o
Fully customized
training regimens o
Statistical
package specially developed for feedback training ·
Static Balance o
Real-time
measurement of COP o
Wide variety of
traditional analytical tools o
BOS marking tool ·
Powerful
Documentation and Analysis o
Subject Database o
Printed reports
and plots. o
Exportable data
and statistics o
Batch Analysis
package for multiple subjects and trials Clinical uses include
objective documentation of postural control using traditional posturography, documentation of balance deficiencies
using visual-feedback evaluation strategies.
For training and rehabilitative purposes patient specific regimens may
be devised to focus on specific areas of weakness. Subject Database – Balance testing often involves a large number of subjects
each with multiple trials. The Balance Trainer software provides a subject
database so the clinician can observe and record each subject’s
progress. The clinician can
additionally create separate databases for differing studies. Testing Protocols -
A Balance Trainer protocol is an assessment or training regimen designed to
ensure uniformity and repeatability of the testing process. A single protocol may be applied to
multiple subjects or customized for each depending on whether the clinical
goal is rehabilitation, training, assessment or research. Trials Types - Balance Trainer offers several different trial types for
testing and rehabilitation. Static
Trials – A static balance trial is
conducted by having the subject attempt to remain motionles
on the platform while the movement of their COP is monitored. Such trials are used in conventional static
posturography. Feedback
Trials – Feedback trials provide
real time visual feedback and tracking of the position of the subjects center of pressure, while the subject attempts to
achieve visually displayed on screen targets. Feedback trials can be run in
either rhythmic or achievement mode.
Rhythmic mode means that each target is highlighted for a set time
period. In. achievement mode each
target remains highlighted until the subject both reaches the target and then
maintains position in the target area for a pre-determined duration. Acquisition
Screens – Balance Trainer
software was developed for use with the lightweight portable AMTI AccuswayPlus balance platform. Balance Trainer
can be used for real time interactive feedback, and acquisition. Depending on the type of trial, Static
or Feedback, a different display screen is used. Feedback training implements a full size
interactive target display screen.
Static trials use the main dialog display screen. This screen allows
for auto centering of the center of pressure data and four levels of
magnification. The
Acquisition Sequence – The Balance
Trainer testing scheme is designed to process many subjects quickly and
efficiently. The normal acquisition
procedure is accomplished by following a simple button sequence on the main
screen of the program. 1) Select
Subject - When a subject is selected his current protocol is loaded for
acquisition. 2) Zero
Platform – Currently disabled, this
prepares the platform for acquisition. 3) Foot
Position – This window enables marking the subject base of support and
recording the marked locations into the subject database. 4) Acquire
– This button starts the feedback training or the static acquisition
process depending on the type of trial we are beginning. 5) Analyze
– The data may be analyzed before saving.
Depending on the type of trial we are running, feedback or static,
different analysis screens will be shown. 6) Save
Data – Saves the data. 7) Next
Trial – Moves the protocol trial counter to highlight the next trial in
the list box to the right of this button. At this point you will usually go
back to Foot Position or Acquire to run the next trial. 8) Print
Report – When a subject’s protocol is completed this button will become
enabled for printing reports on all trials and also the Romberg ratio’s if
any were selected. Some
of these steps may be skipped depending on what the testing parameters are.
For instance the platform does not have to be zeroed every time, the
clinician may not always want to view the analysis, and so forth. Feedback
Analysis – Feedback analysis
emphasizes target and obstacle tracking, paths to targets, ability to hold
target positions, obstacle avoidance, time to target, target achievement, and
other parameters of this nature. The subject’s postural control abilities are
measured and documented. Static
Analysis – Each static trial
analysis is presented with a variety of parameters and plots. Utilities
– Balance Trainer provides powerful batch
processing Utilities screens to analyze multiple trials selected from
the trial data base. A customized analysis of an entire subject database can
be performed with just the click of a button. Static
Batch Analysis – You can get Min,
Max, Mean, and Standard deviation for each of the listed parameters.
Regression or trend analysis plotting can be performed on the statistics. You
can view up to thirty-six Feedback
Batch Analysis – You can get Min,
Max, Mean, and Standard deviation for a large number of parameters which
provide effective measures of the subjects ability
to coordinate their COP. Regression or trend analysis plotting may be
performed. Up to thirty-six Exporting
Data – Exporting data for
import into outside analysis packages such as MS EXCEL, Lotus, and others is
a simple task. The data is exported in ASCII text format, which can be read
by many spreadsheet programs. Balance
Clinic will export: a) Platform force and moment data b)
X & Y center of pressure data c) Discreet Fourier Transform analysis of
your data d)
All the selected statistics in either of the batch utility screens. Recording the Base of Support – Human postural control is maintained within the base of
support (BOS) defined by the margins of the feet. This area can be measured or estimated
using the several options provided by the Balance trainer software.
Base of Support
Auto Marking -.
For accurate and efficient Base of Support entry the subject steps onto the
platform and the clinician then marks points indicating the extreme margins
of the feet. The subject steps off of the platform and a pressure wand is
applied to each margin mark, which is automatically recorded. Once recorded the trial may begin.
Limits
of Stability Sway Marking – A
very quick way to start training is to have the subject stand on the platform
and move to the limits of his balance.
The Balance Feedback software automatically records these extremes of
motion and saves them as representative of the BOS. This is particularly useful to get training
programs up and running quickely. Setup Options
o
Filters – Filter selections are available in the range of 1,2,3,5,10,20,30,50, or 100 Hertz, which may be applied to
the static balance data files. You may view and analyze the data with different
filters applied.
Reports
– Printed reports may be made of individual
trials. Each report contains subject information, individual statistics, and
plots. The reports may be batch
printed after subject protocols are completed. . Romberg
Ratios -
If doing static balance a clinician may set up Romberg Ratio’s in the
protocol development section of Balance Trainer and have them printed out
when the protocol trials are completed. |
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