Ashley Collimore, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate
Equilibria: A Smart Balance Trainer for Kids with CP
Equilibria is a smart balance trainer for children with cerebral palsy that aims to improve balance and muscle strength. Opposed to a typical wobble-board, Equilibria uses actuators to move the board in accordance with the user’s center of pressure. By using an actively controlled-board that can vary in speed and maximum tilt angle, the system allows each user to receive training tailored to their needs and skill level.
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The board includes two training modes and an easy to use MATLAB interface. The reactive mode functions as a typical wobble-board, but at a decreased sped to allow the child more time to react to their shift in balance. The adaptive mode randomly tilts the board and the child must shift their balance to a moving target. Equilibria records center of pressure within a 3 cm radius of error and balance stability index across multiple sessions, allowing a therapist to monitor progress.
You can view our final presentation here!
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REACTIVE
The system functions like a typical balance board and moves in relation to the user’s center of pressure.
ADAPTIVE
The actuators randomly tilt and the user must shift their balance so that the center of pressure is within the target area.
USER INTERFACE
We built a custom user interface in MATLAB where a user can start a trial, select a mode, and get session statistics.
See what clinicians and potential users have to say!
Erin Wentz, PT, PhD, PCS
“We need to be able to address balance issues in kiddos with CP under parameters in which they can achieve success then continue to ‘up the ante’ so they can progress.”
Eric Levey, MD
“Patients like incorporating technology into therapy and
this device seems to have potential for teaching/practicing
balance, which is not easy.”
Brittany Hornby, PT
“I agree a regular balance board is too challenging for most patients with cerebral palsy and I generally just use my foot under the board to decrease the degree/speed of tilt. It is challenging for me to do this while guarding the patient to ensure they don’t fall and attempting to engage them so they remain on the balance board. I feel that it [Equilibria] would help to improve the balance in my patient population with cerebral palsy.”
Cole Kinzie
Potential User
“We would definitely like to use something like this to help proprioception. That is always an issue for me. Getting a chance to use something like this that would move slow enough so my muscles can adjust and my brain to make the connection…. with practice my response time could be greatly increased.”
Kat Seume, PT
“I love the idea of a balance board where the speed of movement can be controlled as many of our CP patients have slower reaction times.”
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This project was completed by Justin Averback, Jason Bleiweiss, Lisa Sesink-Clee, Meredith Spann, Ni Yang, and myself.
Special thanks to our faculty advisor Dr. Paul Stegall and our technical advisors Dr. Michelle Johnson and Dr. Lauri Bishop, PT, DPT.