Design and development of a novel balancer with variable difficulty for training and evaluation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Biomechanics
• Medical Device Design

Background:

• Balance is crucial for daily activities and is maintained by proprioception, vision, and the vestibular system.
• Impairments in these systems, often due to injury or neurological conditions like stroke, necessitate effective rehabilitation.
• Current balance training devices are either prohibitively expensive or offer limited functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, portable, and cost-effective balance trainer, Pro.Balance, to broaden access to rehabilitation.
• To incorporate essential features identified by clinical professionals for effective postural control training.
• To address the limitations of existing high-end and basic balance training equipment.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary approach involving therapists (Singapore General Hospital) and engineers (Nanyang Technological University).
• Development of a prototype incorporating a 'wish list' of essential features for balance training.
• Utilized adjustable springs to control supporting moments, thereby varying difficulty levels.

Main Results:

• The Pro.Balance device was successfully designed, prototyped, and commercialized.
• The trainer features a compact design with adjustable difficulty levels, directional control, patient performance storage, and real-time visual feedback.
• Spring-based mechanisms allow for precise and varied difficulty adjustments.

Conclusions:

• The Pro.Balance offers a versatile and accessible solution for balance rehabilitation, overcoming the limitations of existing devices.
• Its portable and cost-effective nature facilitates wider application in diverse clinical and home settings.
• The device's features support comprehensive postural control training for patients with balance deficits.