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Pang TY, Connelly T, Feltham F, Cheng CT, Rahman A, Chan J, McCarney L, Neville K. A Wearable Personalised Sonification and Biofeedback Device to Enhance Movement Awareness. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:4814. [PMID: 39123861 PMCID: PMC11314819 DOI: 10.3390/s24154814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Movement sonification has emerged as a promising approach for rehabilitation and motion control. Despite significant advancements in sensor technologies, challenges remain in developing cost-effective, user-friendly, and reliable systems for gait detection and sonification. This study introduces a novel wearable personalised sonification and biofeedback device to enhance movement awareness for individuals with irregular gait and posture. Through the integration of inertial measurement units (IMUs), MATLAB, and sophisticated audio feedback mechanisms, the device offers real-time, intuitive cues to facilitate gait correction and improve functional mobility. Utilising a single wearable sensor attached to the L4 vertebrae, the system captures kinematic parameters to generate auditory feedback through discrete and continuous tones corresponding to heel strike events and sagittal plane rotations. A preliminary test that involved 20 participants under various audio feedback conditions was conducted to assess the system's accuracy, reliability, and user synchronisation. The results indicate a promising improvement in movement awareness facilitated by auditory cues. This suggests a potential for enhancing gait and balance, particularly beneficial for individuals with compromised gait or those undergoing a rehabilitation process. This paper details the development process, experimental setup, and initial findings, discussing the integration challenges and future research directions. It also presents a novel approach to providing real-time feedback to participants about their balance, potentially enabling them to make immediate adjustments to their posture and movement. Future research should evaluate this method in varied real-world settings and populations, including the elderly and individuals with Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toh Yen Pang
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Thomas Connelly
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Frank Feltham
- Industrial Design, School of Design, College of Design and Social Context, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Chi-Tsun Cheng
- Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering, School of Engineering, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Azizur Rahman
- Occupational Health and Safety/Ergonomics, Construction, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, Design and Social Context, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Jeffrey Chan
- Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, School of Computing Technologies, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Luke McCarney
- Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora West, VIC 3083, Australia;
| | - Katrina Neville
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
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Ghai S, Ghai I. Virtual Reality Enhances Gait in Cerebral Palsy: A Training Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. Front Neurol 2019; 10:236. [PMID: 30984095 PMCID: PMC6448032 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtual-reality-based training can influence gait recovery in children with cerebral palsy. A consensus concerning its influence on spatiotemporal gait parameters and effective training dosage is still warranted. This study analyzes the influence of virtual-reality training (relevant training dosage) on gait recovery in children with cerebral palsy. A search was performed by two reviewers according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines on nine databases: PEDro, EBSCO, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, EMBASE, ICI, Scopus, and PROQUEST. Of 989 records, 16 studies involving a total of 274 children with cerebral palsy met our inclusion criteria. Eighty-eight percent of the studies reported significant enhancements in gait performance after training with virtual reality. Meta-analyses revealed positive effects of virtual-reality training on gait velocity (Hedge's g = 0.68), stride length (0.30), cadence (0.66), and gross motor function measure (0.44). Subgroup analysis reported a training duration of 20–30 min per session, ≤4 times per week across ≥8 weeks to allow maximum enhancements in gait velocity. This study provides preliminary evidence for the beneficial influence of virtual-reality training in gait rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Ghai
- Institute for Sports Science, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Effects of (music-based) rhythmic auditory cueing training on gait and posture post-stroke: A systematic review & dose-response meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2183. [PMID: 30778101 PMCID: PMC6379377 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38723-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gait dysfunctions are common post-stroke. Rhythmic auditory cueing has been widely used in gait rehabilitation for movement disorders. However, a consensus regarding its influence on gait and postural recovery post-stroke is still warranted. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to analyze the effects of auditory cueing on gait and postural stability post-stroke. Nine academic databases were searched according to PRISMA guidelines. The eligibility criteria for the studies were a) studies were randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials published in English, German, Hindi, Punjabi or Korean languages b) studies evaluated the effects of auditory cueing on spatiotemporal gait and/or postural stability parameters post-stroke c) studies scored ≥4 points on the PEDro scale. Out of 1,471 records, 38 studies involving 968 patients were included in this present review. The review and meta-analyses revealed beneficial effects of training with auditory cueing on gait and postural stability. A training dosage of 20–45 minutes session, for 3–5 times a week enhanced gait performance, dynamic postural stability i.e. velocity (Hedge’s g: 0.73), stride length (0.58), cadence (0.75) and timed-up and go test (−0.76). This review strongly recommends the incorporation of rhythmic auditory cueing based training in gait and postural rehabilitation, post-stroke.
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