title: Ambulatory balance monitoring using a wireless attachable three-axis accelerometer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ability of conventional diagnostic equipment to monitor feelings of dizziness experienced during daily activities is limited. Our goal is to develop an ambulatory multipurpose device for monitoring balance to prevent falling in daily life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-axis accelerometers and gyroscope sensors were attached to the head, pelvis, and legs of vestibular neuritis (VN) patients or age-, height-, and body weight-matched healthy volunteers. The sum of the deviations for the scalar value of acceleration [signal vector magnitude, SVM (g)] and angular velocity (°/s) was measured using the modified Romberg test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The repeated measure ANOVA model with acceleration showed a greater group difference (p < 0.001) than that with angular velocity (p < 0.01). There was no significant interaction effect within-subjects factor between replication and groups (p < 0.178). SVM within the VN group significantly increased for all sensor locations compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Strong correlations between measurements taken at head and pelvis as sensor location were observed for both groups (VN/control, r=0.68/r=072).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SVM appears to accurately assess balance while standing, even repetitive measurement or any location in body.
authors.affiliation: Deptartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Anseong, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Chan
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi Joo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Nambeom
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Gyu Cheol
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020338:Vestibular Neuronitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D059015:Wireless Technology
keywords: Dizziness; acceleration; balance; falling; monitoring