Immediate Effects of Vibrotactile Biofeedback Instructions on Human Postural Control
Document type:
Konferenzbeitrag
Contribution type:
Textbeitrag / Aufsatz
Author(s):
Isabel Tannert‡, Katrin H. Schulleri‡, Youssef Michel , Steeven Villa, Leif Johannsen, Joachim Hermsdörfer and Dongheui Lee
Pages contribution:
7426-7432
Abstract:
Vibrotactile biofeedback can improve balance and
consequently be helpful in fall prevention. However, it remains
unclear how different types of stimulus presentations affect not
only trunk tilt, but also Center of Pressure (CoP) displacements,
and whether an instruction on how to move contributes to a
better understanding of vibrotactile feedback.
Based on lower back tilt angles (L5), we applied individualized multi-directional vibrotactile feedback to the upper torso
by a haptic vest in 30 healthy young adults. Subjects were
equally distributed to three instruction groups (attractive - move
in the direction of feedback, repulsive - move in the opposite
direction of feedback & no instruction - with attractive stimuli).
We conducted four conditions with eyes closed (feedback on/off,
Narrow Stance with head extended, Semi-Tandem stance), with
seven trials of 45s each. For CoP and L5, we computed Root
Mean Square (RMS) of position/angle and standard deviation
(SD) of velocity, and for L5 additionally, the percentage in
time above threshold. The analysis consisted of mixed model
ANOVAs and t-tests (α-level: 0.05).
In the attractive and repulsive groups feedback significantly
decreased the percentage above threshold (p<0.05). Feedback
decreased RMS of L5, whereas RMS of CoP and SD of velocity
in L5 and COP increased (p<0.05). Finally, an instruction
on how to move contributed to a better understanding of the
vibrotactile biofeedback.
Book / Congress title:
43rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC)