Development of a New Training System for the Improvement of Equilibrium Sense

This paper proposes a new training system for equilibrium sense using unstable platform. This training system for equilibrium sense consists of an unstable platform, a computer interface circuit and software program. Postural instability changes the weighting of different types of sensory information and the state of the equilibrium maintenance system. In order to improve the equilibrium sense, we developed software program such as a block game, sine curve training (SCT) and pingpong game using Visual C++. Using this system and training programs, we performed an experiment to train the equilibrium sense of a subject. To evaluate the effects of balance training, the time maintained on the target and the moving time to the target are measured. As a result, the moving time to the target and time to maintain cursor on the target improved through repeating equilibrium sense training. It was concluded that this system was reliable in the evaluation of equilibrium sense. We expect that this system might be applied to clinical use as an effective balance training system.