Loading [MathJax]/extensions/MathMenu.js
Automatically Evaluating Balance: A Machine Learning Approach | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore

Automatically Evaluating Balance: A Machine Learning Approach


Abstract:

Compared to in-clinic balance training, in-home training is not as effective. This is, in part, due to the lack of feedback from physical therapists (PTs). In this paper,...Show More

Abstract:

Compared to in-clinic balance training, in-home training is not as effective. This is, in part, due to the lack of feedback from physical therapists (PTs). In this paper, we analyze the feasibility of using trunk sway data and machine learning (ML) techniques to automatically evaluate balance, providing accurate assessments outside of the clinic. We recruited sixteen participants to perform standing balance exercises. For each exercise, we recorded trunk sway data and had a PT rate balance performance on a scale of 1-5. The rating scale was adapted from the Functional Independence Measure. From the trunk sway data, we extracted a 61-dimensional feature vector representing the performance of each exercise. Given these labeled data, we trained a multi-class support vector machine (SVM) to map trunk sway features to PT ratings. Evaluated in a leave-one-participant-out scheme, the model achieved a classification accuracy of 82%. Compared to participant self-assessment ratings, the SVM outputs were significantly closer to PT ratings. The results of this pilot study suggest that in the absence of PTs, ML techniques can provide accurate assessments during standing balance exercises. Such automated assessments could reduce PT consultation time and increase user compliance outside of the clinic.
Page(s): 179 - 186
Date of Publication: 04 January 2019

ISSN Information:

PubMed ID: 30624218

Funding Agency:


Contact IEEE to Subscribe

References

References is not available for this document.