Development of a Novel 2-Dimensional Neck Haptic Device for Gait Balance Training

Balance problems can be a major cause of falling. Existing gait balance rehabilitation devices usually have limited overground usability due to low portability. Therefore, there is need for development of a portable gait balance rehabilitation system. To fulfill this need, a wearable balance biofeedback system is proposed that utilizes a pair of novel devices to deliver 2-dimensional hybrid haptic biofeedback to the neck that is a combination of indentation and stretching of the skin corresponding to the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions, respectively. The system's functionality is demonstrated through an experiment where 14 healthy subjects and 1 stroke patient performed stance and gait tasks under various feedback conditions. Provision of feedback to healthy subjects resulted in significant improvements in two-dimensional balance under all task conditions. It is also observed that provision of feedback during more difficult tasks resulted in more significant balance improvements. Furthermore, use of the system during gait balance evaluation trials did not cause any significant change in gait speed, meaning that it does not have any detrimental effect on the user's gait. Results of the stroke subject pilot trial showed similar trends. We expect that use of the proposed system may help to improve the overground gait balance of people suffering from the after effects of diseases such as stroke.