A reliability of the prototype trunk training system for sitting balance

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Cerebral palsy significantly impacts sitting balance, necessitating targeted trunk muscle strengthening and balance training.
• Sensory-motor control training on unstable surfaces is crucial for improving trunk control in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel Trunk Training System (TTS) for balance training in a sitting position.
• To gather preliminary data using healthy adults to refine the TTS for future use with children with cerebral palsy.

Main Methods:

• Healthy adult subjects (n=11) participated in balance training tasks using the TTS at varying tilt levels (5°, 10°) and directions (anterior, posterior, left, right).
• Key outcome indices, including the stability index and performance time, were measured.
• Reliability of the TTS measurements was assessed across different task parameters.

Main Results:

• A high correlation was observed between the stability index and performance time, indicating consistent measurement.
• The TTS demonstrated high reliability (0.9<α) across different task levels and directions, suggesting measurement consistency.
• The system effectively captured data on movement range and execution capabilities during sitting balance tasks.

Conclusions:

• The developed Trunk Training System (TTS) shows potential as a tool for evaluating sitting balance capabilities.
• Further research is required to validate the TTS measurements and confirm its efficacy in clinical populations, including children with cerebral palsy.