Body Pressure Measurement System Research Articles

Correlation between ankle plantar flexion strength and degree of body sway.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to consider the correlation between ankle plantar flexion strength and degree of body sway. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-one healthy adult males were targeted. A handheld dynamometer was used to measure ankle plantar flexion strength. The Body Pressure Measurement System was used to measure the degree of body sway. Lastly, correlation between ankle plantar flexion strength and degree of body sway was considered. [Results] A negative correlation was observed between ankle plantar flexion strength and degree of body sway. [Conclusion] Regarding ankle plantar flexion strength and degree of body sway, results of a consideration using a handheld dynamometer and Body Pressure Measurement System were the same as that of previous studies using large equipment.

Effects of mattress firmness on infant body pressure distribution

Infancy is a developmental stage in an individual's life. As an important part of infant development, sleep greatly influences the physiological and mental development of infants, and the health and comfort of infant sleep is a major public concern. From the viewpoint of ergonomics, this study investigated the effects of mattress firmness on the body pressure distribution of infants aged 0–3 years in the supine posture. Six types of mattresses with different firmness values were tested and 11 healthy infant subjects participated in the experiment. A Tekscan body pressure measurement system was used to record data. The body pressure distribution of infants was analysed using six pressure distribution indices including the maximum pressure, average pressure, contact area, maximum pressure gradient, average pressure gradient, and longitudinal pressure distribution curve. The results revealed that, in the supine posture, there is significant correlation between the body pressure indices and the mattress firmness. The average pressure has the strongest correlation with mattress firmness. The infants' buttocks zone had the highest pressure, while the pressure on the head and leg zones was relatively low. The recommended K value, which represents the mattress firmness, ranges from 267 to 669 mm2.

Cardboard Bed Without Mattress Is Ineffective in Improving the body Contact Pressure-a Preliminary Study Using a Dummy Model.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe and evaluate the dispersion of body-mattress contact pressure on a cardboard bed and investigate whether the cardboard bed has a positive effect on evacuees’ musculoskeletal burden.Materials and MethodsA high-performance nursing simulator was used to measure the contact pressure and the body surface contour area of the bed, and these values were collected with the patient in the supine position using the Body Pressure Measurement System. Data of each test were acquired 10 times and were compared among 4 conditions (plastic sheet, cardboard bed, cardboard bed with a blanket, and cardboard bed with a mattress-topper). The data analysis for body-mattress contacts pressure and the surface contour area of the whole body, head, chest, and buttocks were conducted by one-way repeated analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc test.ResultsThe average body-contact pressure on the cardboard bed did not decrease compared with that on the floor with plastic sheets. In contrast, the body surface contour area was significantly different among any other conditions, but the gap was only approximately 16%. However, the body-contact pressure and the body surface contour area were improved when a mattress-topper was added on the cardboard bed. When a blanket was laid on the cardboard bed, the contact area was increased.ConclusionOur results indicate that the pressure dispersion ability of the cardboard bed was not sufficient; however, adding the mattress-topper or the blanket could contribute to an improvement in the evacuees’ musculoskeletal burden. Many evacuees lay a mattress topper or futon on a cardboard bed after installing cardboard beds. Our findings may also support the scientific validity of the evacuees’ actual sleeping style in Japan. This preliminary study provides the basis for future research on exploring an appropriate sleeping bed condition in evacuee shelters.

Correlation between leg extensor torque and the degree of sway.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between leg extensor torque and the degree of sway. [Participants and Methods] We recruited 31 male and 22 female healthy adults. Strength Ergo 240 was used to measure leg extensor torque. A body pressure measurement system was used to measure the degree of sway. After the measurement, the correlation between these factors was investigated according to sex. [Results] In the males, a significant negative correlation was observed between leg extensor torque and the degree of sway. [Conclusion] In cases where therapists actively performed muscle strengthening and standing-up exercises to reduce the degree of sway in the males, the possibility that such efforts could increase leg extensor torque was observed.

Analysis of Potential Risk Factors in Sensory-related Static Supine Posture with or without Wedge for Healthy Science Research

The purpose of this study was to analyze body pressure-related sensory changes in males and females in a static supine posture with or without wedge for healthy science research. The Body Pressure Measurement System was used to analyze body pressure, and body pressure sensors were attached to mattresses beneath the subjects. Before the supine posture with wedge was adopted, pain score tools were used to evaluate the level of pain at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min, and in total for specific parts of the body. In analysis of digitized images, head pressure intensity and shoulder pressure intensity were significantly higher than the pressure intensity of other body parts. In terms of head pressure intensity, the static supine group with wedge was significantly higher than the non-wedge group. The total pain score values for each body part in the supine group were higher than in the supine with wedge group. In particular, the value for pelvis pain in the supine group was significantly higher than in the supine with wedge group. All values were significantly increased after the supine posture with wedge was adopted. These results suggest that postural changes and properties that change in a time-dependent manner need to be carefully considered when applying pain rehabilitation.

Differences in Sensory Changes between Males and Females in the Side-lying Position for Healthy Science Research

This study was performed to investigate the differences in body pressure-related sensory changes between males and females in a side-lying position for physiotherapy research. To analyze body pressure, the Body Pressure Measurement System was used. Body pressure sensors were attached to mattresses beneath the subjects. The level of pain was evaluated using pain score tools before the side-lying position was adopted, as well as at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min after adoption of the side-lying position. Total pain level was also evaluated for specific body points. In analysis of total pain score, the shoulder and pelvis scored significantly higher than other body parts. And, in the gender comparison, the arm showed a significant difference in pain level. Furthermore, this result showed the temporal change in total pain score after maintaining the side-lying position for each body part. Overall, the pain scores increased at 1 minute spent in the side-lying position for every body part except the head. These results suggest that postural changes and properties that change in a time-dependent manner need to be carefully considered when applying physiotherapy in the side-lying position.

Differences in sensory changes between the floor and mattress in the static prone position for healthy science research

There are limited comparative studies examining physiotherapy performed in various environments and positions. Thus, we conducted a healthy science research, investigating the difference in body pressure-related sensory changes between the floor and mattress while in the static prone position. We used the Body Pressure Measurement System to analyze changes in body pressure. In this measurement system, sensors are attached to existing mattresses and floor surfaces beneath the subjects. The level of pain was evaluated using pain score tools before the static prone position was adopted, at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min, and in total for specific body points. We measured five time points and five body points while placed in the static, prone position. There were no significant differences found in body pressure between floor and mattress placement. However, the pain score values for the arm and abdomen were significantly higher in the floor group compared to the mattress group. In addition, pain score values increased with time for the mattress and floor groups. These results suggest that the properties of time, posture, and environment need to be carefully considered when applying sensory rehabilitation.

Differences in the sensory changes between males and females in the static prone position for healthy science research

This study was performed to investigate the difference in body pressure-related sensory changes between males and females in a static prone position with shoulder and elbow flexion for healthy science research. To analyze body pressure in prone position, the Body Pressure Measurement System was used. The level of pain was evaluated using pain score tools before the static prone position was adopted, at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min, and in total for specific body points. In analysis of digitized images, the head pressure intensity was significantly higher than that of the other body parts. However, there was no significant difference observed between females and males body pressure values at the prone position. In analysis of pain scores, the total pain score of both shoulders was significantly higher than on other parts. Furthermore, we measured the temporal change in total pain score after maintaining the static prone position for each body part. Overall, the pain scores increased at 1 minute in the static prone position. In particular, the pain scores of the female groups in both shoulders were significantly increased at minute 1 and 5 compared with the male groups. These results suggest that properties that gender differences and postural changes need to be carefully considered when applying physiotherapy for healthy science research.

Differences in the body pressure-related sensory changes between the floor and mattress in a static supine position for physiotherapy research: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the difference in body pressure–related sensory changes between the floor and mattress in a static supine position for physiotherapy research. [Subjects and Methods] To analyze body pressure, the Body Pressure Measurement System was used. Body pressure sensors were attached to mattresses and the floor beneath the subjects. The level of pain was evaluated using pain score tools before the static supine position was adopted, at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min, and in total for specific body points. [Results] In analysis of digitized images, there was no significant difference observed between floor and mattress body pressure values at the start position. However, the head pressure intensity was significantly higher than that of the other body parts. In analysis of pain scores, all body part pain scores except those for both legs were significantly higher for the floor than for the mattress. Furthermore, the pain scores of the floor group were significantly increased at minute 1 compared with those of the mattress group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that properties that change in a time-dependent manner and postural changes need to be carefully considered when applying physical therapy.

Analysis of the body pressure-related sensory changes in the static supine position for healthy science research: a randomized controlled pilot trial

The aim of this study was to analyze body pressurerelated sensory changes after being in a static supine position to the head, shoulder, right and left arms, low back, pelvic girdle, and right and left legs. To analyze body pressure, a Body Pressure Measurement System was used. Body pressure sensors were attached to existing mattresses and pressure was monitored beneath the ten subjects (five male and five female). The level of pain was evaluated using the pain scale before, at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min, and in total of the head, shoulder, right and left arms, low back, pelvic girdle, and right and left legs after being in the static supine position. Head pressure intensity was significantly higher than other body part measures, and the head had the highest pain score, almost showing a similar tendency. However, the low back was not too high in body intensity, while it had the second highest total pain score. As well, the low back and pelvic girdle showed a significant difference between the pain scores of males and females. The pain appeared after 10 min on all measuring parts. As well, as time progressed, the level of pain became more increased. These results suggest that when performing physical therapy and healthy science research, the properties of time, posture, and gender need to be carefully considered.

The Effects of Different Types of Automated Inclining Bed and Tilt Angle on Body-Pressure Redistribution

The damage caused by pressure in bedridden hospitalized patients is attributable to the body tissues becoming compressed against bony prominences, which results in poor capillary perfusion. Automated inclining beds were developed in this study to assist patients in repositioning, with the aim of quantifying the effects of 3 types of bed (bed 1, 1-axis tilting; bed 2, 1-axis and 2-segment tilting; and bed 3, 2-axis and 3-segment tilting) and 3 tilt angles (10, 15, and 20 degrees upward from the horizontal) on body-pressure redistribution. Twenty healthy subjects (14 men and 6 women) aged 21 to 26 years were recruited from the Yonsei University student population (mean [SD]: height, 164.0 cm [5.5 cm]; weight, 58.7 kg [7.3 kg]). A body-pressure measurement system was used to analyze the pressure distributions of the human body for the different bed types and tilt angles. The results showed that pressure reduction was significantly greater for bed 2 than for beds 1 and 3, and for tilt angles of 15 and 20 degrees upward. The highest pressure reduction was found for bed 2, with a tilt angle of 20 degrees upward from the horizontal.

AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF LEARNER'S AFFECT FROM GROSS BODY LANGUAGE

We explored the reliability of detecting learners' affect by monitoring their gross body language (body position and arousal) during interactions with an intelligent tutoring system called AutoTutor. Training and validation data on affective states were collected in a learning session with AutoTutor, after which the learners' affective states (i.e., emotions) were rated by the learner, a peer, and two trained judges. An automated body pressure measurement system was used to capture the pressure exerted by the learner on the seat and back of a chair during the tutoring session. We extracted two sets of features from the pressure maps. The first set focused on the average pressure exerted, along with the magnitude and direction of changes in the pressure during emotional experiences. The second set of features monitored the spatial and temporal properties of naturally occurring pockets of pressure. We constructed five data sets that temporally integrated the affective judgments with the two sets of pressure features. The first four datasets corresponded to judgments of the learner, a peer, and two trained judges, whereas the final data set integrated judgments of the two trained judges. Machine-learning experiments yielded affect detection accuracies of 73%, 72%, 70%, 83%, and 74%, respectively (chance = 50%) in detecting boredom, confusion, delight, flow, and frustration, from neutral. Accuracies involving discriminations between two, three, four, and five affective states (excluding neutral) were 71%, 55%, 46%, and 40% with chance rates being 50%, 33%, 25%, and 20%, respectively.