Possibility of Using the Wii Balance Board in Stabilometry

Abstract

Stabilometry is useful for understanding overall equilibrium function, and is applied as one test of body equilibrium function. It is a simple test in which 60-second recording starts when body sway stabilizes. Objective evaluation is possible by computer analysis of the speed and direction of the sway, enabling diagnosis of a patient’s condition. However, conventional stabilometer are very expensive. Attempts have therefore been made to develop a method of stabilometry using a Wii Balance Board. Wii Balance Boards are available at much lower cost than conventional stabilometers. As an application of stabilometry using the Wii Balance Board, we conducted a stabilometry test with subjects viewing 3D images. In this study, we examined the possibility of stabilometry using a Wii Balance Board. We also examined the effect on equilibrium function of stabilometry done with subjects viewing 3D images. We compared conventional stabilometry and the Wii Balance Board. Among the four types of analysis index, a very high correlation was seen in total locus length between the two instruments. Total locus length was the only analysis index for which a strongly correlation was seen with conventional stabilometer. Therefore, it may be possible to use a Wii Balance Board in place of a conventional stabilometer using total locus length. We also performed stabilometry with subjects viewing a 3D image. The results of stabilometry performed with subjects viewing stereoscopic images suggest that the total locus length may be helpful in visually induced motion sickness. Ke yw ords: Stabilometry, Stabilograms, Romberg’s Posture, Stereoscopic Image