A biofeedback based portable device to support elderly mobility in the home environment

It has been demonstrated that physical activity based interventions can improve motor functioning in older people. Effectiveness of physical training may be enhanced by providing augmented sensory information. In specific elderly populations, such as older fallers and patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), there is evidence that interventions may improve both cognitive and motor functions. Available results suggests higher efficacy when interventions take place over longer time periods, when they are individually tailored, and include exercises in the home environment [1]. Due to recent technological advances, it is now possible to use body-fixed sensors in combination with advanced ICT solutions to effectively monitor older people in their home environment and to introduce biofeedback (BF)-like interventions that are tailored to individual needs. This new approach allows, e.g., tele-rehabilitation solutions where, from a distance, medical professionals monitor and assist older people. In this paper we present a portable wireless system for BF user-tailored rehabilitation for balance disorders, and its preliminary application in six subjects with PD and three control subjects.