A new balance training tool

Hello!

My name is Lukas, I'm part of a small company that has been working on a balance training tool.

For a quick explanation check out the video here
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...balance-gaming


The campaign is to fund Swibo Tilt, a game system for active gaming and physiotherapy.We've made adventure games, racing games, and even survival games, all made for single or multiplayer to help people going through physiotherapy, training for sports, or who just want to be more active.

Check out the campaign video and the rewards we're offering, and if you like what we're doing we would love your support through telling others about it, sharing the project link on social media, or pledging.

Thanks a ton,


We are also developing a version for just in-clinic use. We want the physio to be able to run the patient through a series of quick tests throughout their recovery. And for the patient to be able to see, graphically, their improvement over time. We believe showing the patient their progress in a quantifiable form will encourage them to stick with their exercises (a large proportion of the physios we have talked to say at-home exercise adherence rates are poorer than they would like).
So things we are measuring are
range of motion(so you can track ankle flexibility after a sprain),
how well they can balance in the center with each foot (we understand that the difference between left and right foot stability is an important indicator of poor balance for physios),
how well they can move to certain points on the board(the time taken to get their and the total distance travelled)
the overall "shakiness"(are they rock solid or do they waver constantly?)

These can all be tested in-clinic and some of this data can actually be gathered while the patient is playing the games(we build each game with a certain exercise in mind)

Anyway thanks for reading this far! We'd love to hear any thoughts you have on our metrics, the games, whatever!

Hi, would you please be able to supply us with some evidence to demonstrate that your balance assessment tools are functionally meaningful, evidence based, reliable and have been compared to current EBP guidelines/ balance tools? You appear to be basing your tool around MSK injuries. Has the system been tested for neurological problems?
Thanks, Fyzzio

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fyzzio

Hi, would you please be able to supply us with some evidence to demonstrate that your balance assessment tools are functionally meaningful, evidence based, reliable and have been compared to current EBP guidelines/ balance tools? You appear to be basing your tool around MSK injuries. Has the system been tested for neurological problems?
Thanks, Fyzzio

---

Hello,

The version we are promoting on the kickstarter is primarily an engagement and training tool.
We are in the process of scientifically validating the data collection version. Early testing has been very promising, detecting imbalances due to previous injury and showing steady improvement over a six week testing period. The sample size so far has been limited but larger studies are being prepared. There are however numerous studies which strongly indicate regular training on a balance board can greatly reduce injury rates (usually ~75%)
The response we have received from early testing physiotherapists has shown that there is a real problem here, and we are seeking physiotherapists to work with for in clinic testing to help refine and improve the solution

Thanks

I think I understand it now: you are still in he trial stage.

Quote:

---

The response we have received from early testing physiotherapists has shown that there is a real problem here...

---

That's really interesting.
What do you mean with 'here'? What is the problem you are trying to address? Do you mean balance training or adherence to home-based exercise programme?
Which Physio Clinics are trialling your device?

Also, what are the minimum physical requirements for the patients using the board?

What is your recommendation for training frequency. E.g. if you are looking for a clinical trial - how often do patients have to come to the clinic to use it? I presume you won't be able to pay for the visits or the therapists engaging - are you on a official trial?

Looks like you have to have a Smart phone. Does the board work without an internet connection?

Have you trialled it with any of the elderly people? Honestly, your games do not look very appealing for that generation - but this is of course only my very own opinion. :)

And what does this mean:

Quote:

---

This project will only be funded if at least $15,000 is pledged by Thu, Feb 18 2016 10:00 AM +13:00

---

Have you actually got boards that you can sell?

Greatly appreciated, thanks,
sorry to be so fussy, but I would like to know how you see it all being put into practise,
Fyzzio

There are two key problems we're trying to solve using Tilt. The first is adherence to home-based exercise, particularly for balance training. Using Tilt we can provide motivation through games and measurement feedback, as well as compliance measurement for the physiotherapist. The second problem is the accessibility and ease of balance measurement, while this is a longer-term goal and one we are still trialing. Tilt can quickly provide objective measurement of a patient's balance during a range of testing procedures by tracking the user's center of balance. So far testing has shown promising correlation with standard testing procedures with the physiotherapists we've worked with.So far the clinics we have worked with are all based in New Zealand. We work with both clinical physiotherapists and sports physiotherapists for athletic training.As for minimum requirements, some users begin using the system from a seated position, which works mobility rather than balance. This is usually for an extreme case such as an amputee using a prosthetic leg, or those with other balance impairments. They can then graduate to standing with support, such as a frame or parallel bars. When the physiotherapist deems them able they can then finally use the system free-standing. Tilt can be used at many stages of recovery in these ways. We recommend that a patient uses the system roughly 10-15 minutes per day, though it depends on the physiotherapists' exercise program. Patients can use the system in clinic or at home, if they are able to take the boards home.



At this stage no we won't be able to pay participants, we are a start-up after all, unfortunately. The current version requires an internet connection on the computer, which is mostly for saving and accessing patient data. We are looking into an offline version, and the smartphone does not need to be connected to the internet at all for the current features. Though, we anticipate adding reminders and access to data through the App which will require internet. Bluetooth can be used if the clinic doesn't have WiFiWe are actually really excited about the opportunity to help an aging population stay mobile. Balance training has proven benefits with the elderly, and in addition studies have shown that gaming has neurological benefits for the elderly. This is certainly an area of focus for us, and we're interested in testing further to ensure the games are appropriate. The Kickstarter campaign is there to raise the funds we need for a larger scale production run. So far we have built only prototype boards which we can't produce in bulk, and therefore are very high cost and only available to select few. If the campaign receives backing of $15,000 or more then it will be 'successful' and we will receive that money from backers, which will be used to fund that production run to deliver. If we fall short we will not receive that funding and must find other ways to fund a production run. And finally, thank you for all the questions! It gives us an opportunity to expand on our plans and we love to see the community showing interest. We greatly appreciate the feedback and please, if anything is still unclear, ask away!All the best,Ben Dunn

Sounds fascinating, thanks ever so much.
Love the aspect of being able to start training in sitting.
However, I seriously doubt that the use of any electronic or purchased devices actually increases participation in exercise - the novelty will wear off sooner or later - like for the kids who have been using Wii or PS4 in rehab. :)

The only problem that I see is that trials have shown (at least with neurological clients) that balance training needs to occur about 4 times a week at least and therefore it is only feasible for Outpatients to be done as a home programme. That means each Clinic needs a device to trial it and then clients have to purchase it. Potentially difficult as many clients - esp. those who are off work due to injury or medical illness, are seriously short of funds. I mean, look at the people to complain about the surcharge... Also, all areas of balance need to be addressed in order to transfer exercise skills into functional activities and I am wondering whether your device does this.
I would be quite keen to have a look at a Board. if you are unable or not permitted to publically state which clinics have the device, would you be able to send me a pm, please???
Cheers,
Fyzzio