A Prototype Head-Motion Monitoring System for In-Home Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

• Authors: Pamela Bhatti, Emory University; Susan Herdman, Emory University; Siddarth Datta Roy, Georgia Institute of Technology; Courtney Hall, Emory University; Ronald Tusa, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Bioengineering and Biomedical Science
• Volume: Volume Suppl 1
• Publisher: OMICS International | 2011
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9538.S1-009
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Rehabilitation and Therapy; Engineering, Electronics and Electrical
• Keywords: Gaze stabilization; Inertial sensors; Vestibular hypofunction; Vestibular rehabilitation

Abstract

This work reports the use of a head-motion monitoring system to record patient head movements while completing in-home exercises for vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Based upon a dual-axis gyroscope (yaw and pitch, ± 500-degrees/sec maximum), angular head rotations were measured and stored via an on-board memory card. The system enabled the clinician to document exercises at home. Several measurements were recorded in one patient with unilateral vestibular hypofunction: The total time of exercise for the week (118 minutes) was documented and compared with expected weekly exercise time (140 minutes). For gaze stabilization exercises, execution time of 60 sec was expected, and observed times ranged from 75-100 sec. An absence of rest periods between each exercise instead of the recommended one minute rest period was observed. Maximum yaw head velocities from approximately 100-350 degrees/sec were detected. A second subject provided feedback concerning the ease of use of the HAMMS device. This pilot study demonstrates, for the first time, the capability to capture the head-motion "signature" of a patient while completing vestibular rehabilitation exercises in the home and to extract exercise regime parameters and monitor patient adherence. This emerging technology has the potential to greatly improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals completing in-home gaze stabilization exercises.