Innovative System for Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Human Imbalance

Introduction: Mobile posturography is based on wearable inertial sensors; it allows to test static stability (static posturography) and gait disturbances. Aim: The aim of this work was to present the results of research on the innovative MEDIPOST system used for diagnosis and rehabilitation of balance disorders. Material and methods: Fourteen articles published in influenced foreign journals were presented and discussed. The development and construction of the device was preceded by a literature review and methodological work. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire was translated and validated. The methodology of posturography with head movements with a frequency of 0.3 Hz was also developed in the group with chronic vestibular disorders. Simultaneous measurements were performed (static posturogrphy vs. MEDIPOST) in the CTSIB-M (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance) test in healthy subjects and patients with unilateral peripheral dysfunction. Results: In the posturography with head movements the improvement of sensitivity (67 to 74%) and specificity (65 to 71%) was noted. In the CTSIB-M test the intraclass correlation coefficients for both methods were 0.9. The greatest differences between examinations were observed for the mean angular velocity in the tests on the foam (trials no. 3 and 4), in particular on the foam with eyes closed (trial no. 4-sensitivity 86.4%, specificity 87.7%). Two functional tests were analyzed: the Swap Seats test and the 360 degree turn test. In the former, the results are studied from 6 sensors-86% of the true positives and 73% of the true negatives for the fall/ no-fall group classification. The second test differentiates people with vestibular impairment and healthy people. It can be analyzed with 1 (sensitivity 80%) and 6 sensors (sensitivity 86%, specificity 84%). Currently, the MEDIPOST device is in the development and certification phase.