A low-cost force sensor-based posturographic plate for home care telerehabilitation exergaming

A wireless architecture of posturographic plate, conceived as a physical interface between the patient at home and a semi-immersive virtual environment of telerehabilitation exergaming, is proposed. The design is aimed at maximizing cost reduction as well as hardware and software flexibility, for integrating third-party rehabilitation applications with the exergaming-oriented approach in a telemedicine open development platform. Apart general-purpose bodyweight exercises, rehabilitation protocols based on twofold exergaming tasks for recovering (i) proprioceptive and manual dexterity, using the board by hands for postural motor coordination, and (ii) lower limb proprioception, using by trunk or feet (from sitting and standing posture) to control static and dynamic balance, are provided. The plate was validated experimentally at functional level by means of posturographic and exergame tests, emulating the shots on goal for soccer penalties. Moreover, results of clinical tests in comparison with a force measuring plate of a high-cost professional state-of-the-art system for posturographic analysis, both in normal and in pathological subjects, with open and closed eyes, highlighted encouraging performance and fostered industrial transfer.