HeadUp: A Low-Cost Solution for Tracking Head Movement of Children with Cerebral Palsy Using IMU

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor abilities, with poor head control being a major challenge for children in Levels IV and V.
• Current visual assessments for head control and cervical range of motion (CROM) lack precision and consistency.
• Objective measurement is crucial for effective intervention in pediatric motor disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the HeadUp system, a novel, low-cost solution for accurately measuring head control in children with CP.
• To assess the system's ability to wirelessly capture CROM in multiple planes during daily activities.
• To provide a reliable tool for tracking head control and aiding rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) integrated into the HeadUp system captures head orientation data.
• An Euler-based sensor fusion algorithm (SFA) processes data for real-time head orientation estimation and control tracking.
• Wireless transmission enables CROM measurement in frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes during natural movements.

Main Results:

• The proposed SFA demonstrated high accuracy in noise reduction and a faster system response.
• Clinical testing on children with and without CP (ages 2-5) validated the system's feasibility.
• The HeadUp system successfully measured CROM and tracked head control during everyday activities.

Conclusions:

• The HeadUp system provides an accurate and reliable method for assessing head control and CROM in children with CP.
• This technology can serve as an engaging, head control trainer, motivating children through gamified rehabilitation.
• The system offers a promising advancement in objective assessment and therapeutic intervention for pediatric CP.