Computerized game-based rehabilitation system for dynamic balance training in elderly

• Grant number: 17/16292-1
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2017 - August 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Alessandro Pereira da Silva
• Grantee: Alessandro Pereira da Silva
• Home Institution: Pró-Reitoria Acadêmica. Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC). Campus da Sede Mogi das Cruzes. Mogi das Cruzes , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Helio Martucci Neto ; Leandro Lazzareschi

Abstract

Fall injuries are considered one of the major health concerns for the elderly, because it can lead to secondary diseases, disability or even death. Falls injuries are often caused by loss of balance due to an inadequate postural control. To keep an adequate postural control, it is necessary to integrate functions of several sensory systems associated to equilibrium. Normally, the equilibrium analyses are performed using stationary force platforms, where the volunteer is the dynamic element and the imbalance is provided by mechanical stimuli induced by the evaluator. However, this intervention does not provide a functional evaluation, because it doesn't allow investigations of postural disorders and other kinesiological or biomechanical factors. On the other hand, the technological advances allowed the creation of virtual environments for rehabilitation, aiming to evaluate real life situations without exposing the volunteer to the risk, which could increase the mobilization of the volunteer to the treatment. Therefore, this project aims to develop and validate a computerized system, composed by a dynamic platform of ground reaction force with controlled mechanical stimuli, connected to a computerized game that presents specific tasks for the balance training of elderly people. Concepts of prototyping by 3D printing and computer simulation will be used to develop the dynamic force platform. A three-dimensional computer graphical tool, Blender 3D, will be used to develop to the game. This graphic toll (Blender) feature includes 3D modeling, texturization and post-production, beside the integrated game engine. The proposed system will be tested by 30 volunteers, over 60 years of age, divided into two groups. The G1 group, with 15 volunteers, will use therapy based on the proposed system and the G2 group, with 15 volunteers, will be submitted to traditional therapy. To analyze the results obtained will be used tests of normality, sample difference and if necessary will be use a post-hoc. At the end of this project we expect to obtain a computerized system that mobilizes the elderly to perform a balance training reducing the percentage of falls in this population. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

COELHO, M. S.; SILVA, S. J.; BOSCHI, S. R. M. S.; RODRIGUES, S. C. M.; SCARDOVELLI, T. A.; BARBUY, H. S.; SILVA, A. P. Real-time simulation device for mean arterial pressure of hypotensive patient subjected phenylephrine infusion. ELECTRONICS LETTERS, v. 56, n. 17, p. 865-867, AUG 20 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.

ALEXANDRUK, MARCOS; SCARDOVELLI, TERIGI AUGUSTO; FERNANDES DA SILVA, ANDRE ROBERTO; MARTINI, SILVIA CRISTINA; NETO, HELIO MARTUCCI; MATOS DA SILVA BOSCHI, SILVIA REGINA; DA SILVA, ALESSANDRO PEREIRA. . HUMANIDADES & INOVACAO, v. 7, n. 5, p. 46-51, FEB 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.