-
Who will the audio biofeedback device help?
-
The audio biofeedback device has been developed to help people who have
balance problems due to sensory loss. In particular, people with balance
impairment due to vestibular loss (inner ear sense of balance) may be
the best candidates for using this device. More studies are needed to
determine the effectiveness of audio biofeedback for people who have
difficulty with postural verticality due to brain damage from stroke or
other neurological disorders.
-
Is the audio-biofeedback device already available commercially?
-
The device is not commercially available yet. Studies are still
underway to fully test the device.
-
How can I get more information about the audio-biofeedback device?
-
Two papers are already published in international journals:
Dozza M, Chiari L, Horak FB.
Audio-biofeedback improves balance in patients with bilateral vestibular
loss. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation 2005 Jul; 86(7):1401-3.
Dozza M, Chiari L, Chan B, Rocchi L, Horak FB, Cappello A.
Influence of a Portable Audio-Biofeedback Device on Structural
Properties of Postural Sway. Journal of Neuroengineering and
Rehabilitation. 2005 May 31 ;2(1):13
http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/2/1/13 (FREE ACCESS)
Another short paper is available from the IEEE website:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/9639/30463/01404328.pdf?tp=&arnumber=1404328&isnumber=30463
More articles will be available in the next months in other
international journals.
-
What other studies are being done in the Balance Disorders Laboratory?
-
Many studies are being conducted in the Balance Disorders Laboratory
that is run by Dr. Fay Horak.
Dr. Horak is developing a new clinical tool for physical therapists to
diagnose and rehabilitate balance disorders.
James Frank PhD is studying how people learn how to balance when exposed
to predictable surface perturbations.
Patty Carlson Kuhta, PhD, is studying the effect of deep brain
stimulation in people with Parkinson´s disease.
Geoff Wright, PhD, is investigating perception of vertical in subjects
with vestibular loss and subjects with Parkinson´s disease.
Jesse Jacobs is interested in step initiation in people with Parkinson´s
disease and healthy subjects.
-
What type of subjects are tested most in the Balance Disorders Laboratory?
-
Currently people with Parkinson´s disease, unilateral or bilateral
vestibular loss, and healthy people are being tested. This work is
supported by the National Institutes on Aging and the National Institute
of Deafness and Communication Disorders.
-
Where can I go for diagnosis of my balance disorder and for
rehabilitation of my balance disorder?
-
Managed Care Coordinator
Angela LaMarsh
Phone: (503) 494-3171
Fax: (503) 494-4360
E-mail:
For any other questions send an e-mail to:
