Balance meter
Moving platform posturography testing is one of the most up to date methods to measure balance. It covers the techniques used to qualify postural control in upright stance in either static or dynamic conditions. Due to the complex interactions among sensory, motor and central processes involved in posture and balance it is possible to calculate and register these data by stabilograms. They represent the coordinates of the centre of pressure during standing. Fluctuations in the line show postural sway to maintain a stable position of a body centre of mass.
The system of the software includes several complex statokinetic tests. Romberg test, for example, has been often modified in the past 150 years. Originally it was designed to test spinal cord diseases. It is used to investigate the cause of loss of motor coordination. By this test vestibular and celebellar damage can be detected.
Protocol of Romberg test
- Before measurement the subject’s personal data should be registered in the database of the software (name, age, gender, weight, height).
- The subject is asked to stand erect with feet together, ankles are two cm far from each other, and feet are at an acute angle.
- The subjects should be informed about the phases of the process. They will have to stand erect with feet together and eyes closed for 30 seconds without changing position.
- During this test the subjects should focus on a two meter distance far from a fix point with an eye – level.
The platform measures the position of pressure centre and the data are registered by the software.
https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/balance-and-postural-control/deck/7623885
The red line is the diversion pathway of the projected load centre represented by the measured time towards anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions.
Numerical data:
- The above pathway is the trajectory length of the plantar pressure centre
- C90 is the ellipse area/ mm2 - bigger area indicates more serious loss of balance
- C90 angle: the longitudinal axis of C90 ellipse toward the direction of ML. Elongated ellipse refers to asymmetry.
- The trajectory covered by plantar pressure centre is placed within the reference circle
- Body weight: weight difference (%) between the two lower limbs.
- The one hundred times of C90 quotient (%) is the value of the Rosenberg quotient during the tests with open eyes and closed eyes.
By this software tests are planned that are able to measure delicate co-ordinations and visual feedback training programmes. The aim of this test is to follow up movements while focusing on an issue/point within pressure centre.