Kalsbeek, M.W. van (2016) Do elderly use a wheeled walker for gaining postural support or sensory information? thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
When people age, multiple changes happen in the body. These changes in the body can lead to falls in elderly. Assistive devices can be prescribed to elderly to reduce the risk of falling by keeping the Centre of Mass (CoM) positioned over the Base of Support (BoS). Research shows that even with only light touch of a cane, stabilization of Centre of Pressure (CoP) is seen. Sensory information is enough to allow for control of balance. The aim of this study is to research if four wheeled walkers are used without the need of support in elderly, and only allow for sensory information. Subjects were filmed walking with their walker. The video is used to calculate the projection of the CoM on the ground, and if the CoM is within the BoS. This is calculated with custom written software in the MathWork Matlab environment. Results show that one subject showed a CoM projection in front of the BoS, and would need the walker not to fall. So the results show that a walker is not necessarily used for support, but may allow for sensory information to control for balance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Otten, prof. dr. E. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2022 10:24 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Apr 2022 10:24 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3154 |
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