A real-time center of pressure measurement system for postural balance assessment in the elderly

Abstract

This research presents the development of a real-time center of pressure measurement system for static balancing assessment in the elderly. The system consists of two parts: the structure and the software. The structure was equipped with two pressure sensing devices that sensed the pressure value of each foot while the assessee was standing on the devices. The sensing data can be stored in a computer. The distance between the two devices can be adjusted according to the distance between the assessee’s feet. In the software part, a program was developed to visualize the spatial pressure distribution and show the center of pressure (COP) position which the latter provides the assessment of balancing capability in real-time. The results, along with the assessee’s data, were stored in computer files that can be used for further follow-up and analysis. The evaluation results conducted among 30 elderly assessees show that the pressure ratio percentage between left and right foot, from the developed system, is correspond to the weight ratio percentage between left and right foot, from the existing weighing scale; with the mean difference percentage of 5.54. The relationship between the deviation of center of pressure and the pressure ratio between the two feet is linear equation; with the decision coefficient (R²) of 0.94. The user satisfaction assessment results show that the developed system has higher satisfaction than the existing weighing scale in all aspects which are ease of use, clear and fast display, and ability to store data.