The development and clinical evaluation of a standing biofeedback trainer

A new standing biofeedback training device, which includes a height-adjustable work table, weight-bearing sensors, and a real-time visual and auditory feedback system, has been developed for postural training. Sixty persons with hemiplegia after acute stroke or traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into Group A (experimental) and Group B (control). After a training period of 4 weeks, the percentage of postural asymmetry in Group A and Group B was reduced from 17.2 +/- 10.8% and 17.0 +/- 10.0% to 3.5 +/- 2.2% and 10.1 +/- 6.4 percent, respectively (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference between subjects with right or left hemiplegia. The results indicated that this device had a positive training effect on stance symmetry in hemiplegic subjects.