Effect of a novel device with laser pointer in practicing posture control

Abstract

A simple and efficient method for posture control and preventing falls during walking is needed. We developed a novel device for this purpose using a laser pointer. We should to investigate the effect of this device in posture control. Thirty-five healthy young women (20.2 ± 0.5 years) were recruited. The device was placed on their right knee with the laser pointing toward the wall surface in front of their patella. The participants could see the position of their patella by looking at the laser point on the wall in front of them. During posture control practice, the participants stood on one-leg on the balance pad for one minute. Posture control practice was performed three days a week for two weeks. The participants were randomized to one of the three following groups: those practicing posture control with the device, those practicing posture control without the device, and those who did not practice posture control (control group). The rectangular area of center of pressure during one-leg standing on the balance pad was measured using a Gravicorder before and after practice to determine the effect of posture control practice. The measurements from the rectangular areas after practice were normalized to before practice [%BP]. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison tests were performed ( P < 0.05). This study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of authors’ affiliation facility (# 15-079). The rectangular areas were 64.4 ± 17.1%BP in the group that practiced posture control with the device, 86.3 ± 23.1%BP in the group practicing without the device, and 99.6 ± 24.8%BP in the control group. Participants who practiced posture control with the device had a significantly lower %BP than the two other groups. These results suggest that this novel device can improve posture control.