Low-Cost Web-Based Stabilometry Biofeedback Trainigs

Postural control is disrupted in a number of conditions, e.g., stroke, parkinsonism, and depression. Stabilometry biofeedback (SB) is a popular approach for improving postural balance skills. Unfortunately, home usage of the SB is limited by costly devices and demand for the professional assistance. The principal aim of the study was to develop an ultra-low cost stabilometric device valued below 25$. The device can be easily assembled at home using commercially available scales. It is suggested to be connected to a PC via the virtual COM port for data transfer. The entire system provides high-precision data comparable with those of a system approved for clinical usage. We also aimed to develop a web-based system compatible with the aforementioned device to collects and process the data to calculate the position of a center of pressure. The system enables multiple assessments of postural control ability and a set of simple SB games. Thus, a low-cost postural skills improvement for rehabilitation or leisure purposes may be achieved with low-cost individual devices and automated online data collection, processing, and SB games presentation. The system provides data of acceptable quality and may be used to improve the accessibility of SB.