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Using the Tongue for Balance

Using the Tongue for Balance. Gabriel Ausfresser University of Rhode Island BME 482. Overview. Introduction Requirements for maintaining balance Replacing a lost sense with another Using Tongue-based Biofeedback How it works Why the tongue? Research Experiment Hypothesis Methods

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Using the Tongue for Balance

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  1. Using the Tongue for Balance Gabriel Ausfresser University of Rhode Island BME 482

  2. Overview • Introduction • Requirements for maintaining balance • Replacing a lost sense with another • Using Tongue-based Biofeedback • How it works • Why the tongue? • Research Experiment • Hypothesis • Methods • Results • Conclusions • References

  3. Introduction • What sensory systems are required for balance? • Vision • Vestibular • Somatosensory

  4. Introduction (cont.) • Replacing one sensory system with another • Replacing a dysfunctional sense with a functioning one • Types of substitutions • Tactile-Visual • Tactile-Auditory • Tactile-Vestibular • Tactile-Tactile

  5. Tongue-based Biofeedback • What is Tongue-based Biofeedback? • Biofeedback: using the information from the user’s own body to provide feedback to user • Using tactile sensory information from tongue to communicate with CNS • Matrix of electrodes • Normal: • Sensory information from vision  CNS  person adjusts body position to balance • With tongue and no vision: • Sensory information (accelerometer)  device  impulse generator  tongue tactile senses  CNS  person adjusts body position to balance

  6. Why the Tongue? • Saliva = good electrolytic environment • Good electrode conduction • Closeable mouth = protection for electrodes • Tongue requires only 3% of the voltage for stimulation than a finger

  7. Research Experiment • 2007 - Vuillerme, N., et al. • Hypothesis • Using the tongue to relay sensory information to the CNS can successfully replace one of the senses needed for good balance

  8. Research Experiment (cont.) • Methods • 10 healthy adults • Stand completely still with eyes opened • Measured a baseline center of foot pressure using pressure sensor insoles in shoes • Found standard deviation called “dead zones” • Stand completely still with eyes closed • Measured the subjects center of foot pressure

  9. Methods (cont.) • Two trials • One with tongue sensory relay • When the subject’s center of foot pressure was outside the dead zone, the electrodes stimulated tongue sensors • Electrode stimulation was done in the part of the matrix that corresponded with location of center of foot pressure relative to dead zone • One without tongue sensory relay

  10. Research Experiment (cont.) • Results • Tongue feedback = less fluctuation of center of foot pressure • Tongue feedback = more control of center of foot pressure

  11. Conclusion • Tongue feedback system can successfully replace the sense of vision regarding balance • Future Work • Help maintain balance for person with diabetes • Help provide feedback for amputee

  12. References • Vuillerme, N., et al. "A plantar-pressure based tongue-placed tactile biofeedback system for balance improvement." Computer Methods in Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering 10.(2007): 63-64. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. • http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14058-tongue-display-helps-you-keep-your-balance.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_substitution • http://www.mortonsfoot.com/badposture.html • http://www.mamashealth.com/train/balance.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofeedback

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