Design and validation of upper extremity support system for dynamic postural stability assessment

The design and validation of a biomechanical measurement system to determine 3D upper extremity support forces during walker assisted standing is presented. The system performs dynamic postural stability testing while recording six axis force and moment information from a pair of instrumented walker handles. The work is part of a larger study of the correlation of postural stability assessment, gait analysis and functional measurement instruments in children with cerebral palsy who require assistive devices to ambulate. The system is found suitable for further testing and patient evaluation.