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Exploring the Potentials of Wearable Technologies in Managing Vestibular Hypofunction.
Ameer Mohammed1,2, Shutong Li1,2, Xiao Liu1,2
1School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 27, 2024
Summary
Assistive technologies aid vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) for early vestibular hypofunction (VH) and offer novel sensory augmentation for advanced VH. Further development is needed for long-term home use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The vestibular system is vital for balance, spatial orientation, and gaze stabilization.
- Vestibular hypofunction (VH) impairs environmental interaction and progresses over time.
- Current management strategies include vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) and emerging wearable technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review state-of-the-art assistive technologies for managing early and advanced stages of VH.
- To explore the potential of technology in VRT and sensory substitution/augmentation for VH.
- To identify challenges and propose strategies for improving long-term home and ambulatory use of these technologies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current literature on assistive technologies for VH.
- Analysis of technological approaches for early-stage VRT facilitation.
- Evaluation of wearable technologies for sensory augmentation and substitution in advanced VH.
Main Results:
- Technology can significantly enhance early-stage VRT effectiveness.
- Wearable sensory augmentation and substitution show promise for advanced VH management.
- Significant potential exists for assistive technologies, yet long-term home use remains underexplored.
Conclusions:
- Assistive technologies offer a promising avenue for improving VH management across all stages.
- Further research and development are crucial to overcome challenges for widespread adoption.
- Optimizing technologies for user-friendly, long-term home and ambulatory use is essential for maximizing patient benefit.
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