Helping people balance better using haptics
Balance issues occur for a wide range of reasons, including aging, blindness, hearing-related issues, and neurological conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease. In the older population, which is expanding rapidly, fall-induced injuries are the fifth leading cause of death and account for over 80% of injury-related hospital admissions. This is estimated to cost the UK National Health Service more than £6 million per day.
Balance issues and fear of falling can result in reduced quality of life, with decreased mobility, physical activity avoidance, and social isolation. Some studies have shown evidence that haptic feedback systems to support those with balance issues can help gait and balance, but the evidence base is currently weak.
We are adapting our new, high-precision mosaic2 wrist-worn haptic device to provide balance information, and support those with balance impairments.
For more information the haptics for balance project please contact Dr Mark Fletcher at: M.D.Fletcher@soton.ac.uk
You can also follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ElectroHaptics
Balance issues and fear of falling can result in reduced quality of life, with decreased mobility, physical activity avoidance, and social isolation. Some studies have shown evidence that haptic feedback systems to support those with balance issues can help gait and balance, but the evidence base is currently weak.
We are adapting our new, high-precision mosaic2 wrist-worn haptic device to provide balance information, and support those with balance impairments.
For more information the haptics for balance project please contact Dr Mark Fletcher at: M.D.Fletcher@soton.ac.uk
You can also follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ElectroHaptics
|
A balance study being conduction on the 6-axis shaker in the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research's Vibration Centre
|
