Development of an ambulatory device for monitoring posture change and walking speed for use in rehabilitation

The role of wearables in spinal posture analysis: a systematic review

Background

Wearables consist of numerous technologies that are worn on the body and measure parameters such as step count, distance travelled, heart rate and sleep quantity. Recently, various wearable systems have been designed capable of detecting spinal posture and providing live biofeedback when poor posture is sustained. It is hypothesised that long-term use of these wearables may improve spinal posture.

Research questions

To (1) examine the capabilities of current devices assessing spine posture, (2) to identify studies implementing such devices in the clinical setting and (3) comment on the clinical practicality of integration of such devices into routine care where appropriate.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines (PRISMA) across the following databases: PubMed; MEDLINE; EMBASE; Cochrane; and Scopus. Articles related to wearables systems able to measure spinal posture were selected amongst all published studies dated from 1980 onwards. Extracted data was collected as per a predetermined checklist including device types, study objectives, findings and limitations.

Results

A total of 37 articles were extensively reviewed and analysed in the final review. The proposed wearables most commonly used Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) as the underlying technology. Wearables measuring spinal posture have been proposed to be used in the following settings: post-operative rehabilitation; treatment of musculoskeletal disorders; diagnosis of pathological spinal posture; monitoring of progression of Parkinson’s Disease; detection of falls; workplace occupational health and safety; comparison of interventions.

Conclusions

This is the first and only study to specifically review wearable devices that monitor spinal posture. Our findings suggest that currently available devices are capable of assessing spinal posture with good accuracy in the clinical setting. However, further validation regarding the long-term use of these technologies and improvements regarding practicality is required for commercialisation.

Development of a smart garment to reduce kyphosis during daily living

Many of the aches and pains of adults are the result of the long-term effects of bad posture or body misalignment. Postural kyphosis in adolescence, which is an excessive rounding of the upper spine, may be one of the effects of poor standing and sitting habits. A smart garment, consisting of a harness and two data-sensor loggers, was developed to monitor and provide vibration feedback to wearers to improve their posture during daily activities. Laboratory tests verified that the garment could provide an accuracy of 2 ± 2° during static measurement and 3 ± 2° during stable or slowly changing posture activities and 4 ± 4° during rapidly changing posture activities. Four volunteers wore the system for 3 h per day and for 4 consecutive days. The feedback was provided on the last 2 days and the kyphotic angle reduced by 8 ± 1° and 8 ± 2° on the last 2 days, respectively. Although the long-term effects of reminding the subjects' posture is still not clear, a short-term result shows promise that the smart garment may be able to improve the kyphosis.