Alternate lower extremity resistance training to increase stability in young and elderly adults

Gemstone Team BALANCE

A Video Game-Integrated Electromyography Biofeedback Device for Use in Physical Therapy

We present a novel system to be used in the rehabilitation of patients with forearm injuries. The system uses surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings from a wireless sleeve to control video games designed to provide engaging biofeedback to the user. An integrated hardware/software system uses a neural net to classify the signals from a user’s muscles as they perform one of a number of common forearm physical therapy exercises. These classifications are used as input for a suite of video games that have been custom-designed to hold the patient’s attention and decrease the risk of noncompliance with the physical therapy regimen necessary to regain full function in the injured limb. The data is transmitted wirelessly from the on-sleeve board to a laptop computer using a custom-designed signal-processing algorithm that filters and compresses the data prior to transmission. We believe that this system has the potential to significantly improve the patient experience and efficacy of physical therapy using biofeedback that leverages the compelling nature of video games.

Investigation of Blast Wave Propagation: Correlating External Pressures to Brain Injury Predictors

Blast-induced Traumatic Brain Injury (bTBI) is the signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; however, current understanding of bTBI is insufficient. In this study, novel analysis methods were developed to investigate correlations between external pressures and brain injury predictors. Experiments and simulations were performed to analyze placement of helmet-mounted pressure sensors. A 2D Finite Element model of a helmeted head cross-section was loaded with a blast wave. Pressure time-histories for nodes on the inner and outer surfaces of the helmet were cross-correlated to those inside the brain. Parallel physical experiments were carried out with a helmeted headform, pressure sensors, and pressure chamber. These analysis methods can potentially lead to better helmet designs and earlier detection and treatment of bTBI.