Method and apparatus for vibrotactile motional training employing cognitive spatial activity

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing motional training, such as treatment of disequilibrium and movement and balance disorders, using cognitive spatial activity and by providing a subject with vibrotactile feedback in response to an attempt to perform the spatial activity.

1 . A method of providing motional training to a subject, comprising:
 (a) providing a force plate having at least one sensor;   (b) providing a controller coupled to the force plate, the controller being operative to receive input signals from the at least one sensor and to transmit control signals to a moveable device;   (c) positioning a subject having a center of pressure on the force plate;   (d) shifting the center of pressure of the subject on the force plate in one or more of forward, rearward and side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof;   (e) receiving input signals produced by the at least one sensor in response to step (d); and   (f) transmitting a control signal in response to step (e) which causes the moveable device to move in the same direction as the shift of the subject's center of pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which step (b) includes providing a controller operative to the transmit control signals to a radio-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  in which step (d) includes beginning with the center of pressure of the subject at a neutral position relative to one or more of the forward, rearward or side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  in which step (f) includes transmitting a control signal to the moveable device when the subject's center of pressure shifts to the neutral position which causes the moveable device to stop. 
     
     
         5 . A method of providing motional training to a subject comprising:
 (a) providing a force plate having at least one sensor;   (b) providing a controller coupled to the force plate, the controller being operative to receive input signals from the at least one sensor and to transmit control signals to a moveable device;   (c) positioning a subject having a center of pressure on the force plate;   (d) shifting the center of pressure of the subject on the force plate in one or more of forward, rearward and side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof;   (e) defining parameters within which step (d) may be performed;   (f) receiving input signals produced by the at least one sensor in response to step (d);   (g) transmitting a control signal in response to step (f) which causes the moveable device to move in the same direction as the shift of the subject's center of pressure; and   (h) providing vibrotactile stimulation to the subject in the event of a variance between the input signals and the parameters, the vibrotactile stimulation being applied at one or more locations on the subject to induce one or more movements on the part of the subject in order to counteract the variance.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  in which step (h) comprises providing a number of vibrotactile actuators each coupled at a different location on the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  in which step (e) comprises defining the parameters by determining the maximum extent of shifting of the subject's center of pressure which is permitted in each of the forward, rearward and side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  in which each of the vibrotactile actuators is associated with the maximum extent of shifting of the subject's center of pressure in at least one of the forward, rearward and side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  in which step (h) comprises providing vibrotactile stimulation from each of the vibrotactile sensors that are associated with one or more of the forward, rearward and side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof, wherein the maximum extent of shifting of the subject's center of pressure is exceeded. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for providing motional training to a subject, comprising:
 a force plate having at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being operative to produce input signals in response to shifting of the center of pressure of a subject positioned on said first plate in one or more of forward, rearward and side-to-side directions, and combinations thereof;   a radio-controlled moveable device having a receiver;   a controller coupled to said at least one sensor of said force plate, said controller being operative in response to receipt of said input signals to transmit control signals to said receiver thereby causing said moveable device to move in the same direction as the shift of the subject's center of pressure.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  in which said at least one sensor comprises a load cell mounted at each corner of said force plate. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  in which said radio-controlled moveable device is a radio-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further including a number of vibrotactile actuators coupled to said controller, each of said vibrotactile actuators being adapted to be positioned at different locations on a subject. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  in which said input signals produced by said at least one sensor correspond to the direction in which the center of pressure of the subject is shifted. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  in which the location at which each of said vibrotactile actuators is positioned on the subject corresponds to one of said forward, rearward or side-to-side directions, or to combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  in which said controller is operative to compare said input signals to a predetermined maximum extent of shifting of a subject's center of pressure in any one or more of the forward, rearward and side-to-side directions and combinations thereof, said controller producing one or more activation signals in the event of a variance between any of said input signals and said predetermined maximum extent of shifting of a subject's center of pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  in which said controller is operative to transmit an activation signal to each of said vibrotactile actuators which is positioned on the subject at a location corresponding to the direction in which shifting of the subject's center of pressure exceeds said predetermined maximum extent, each of said vibrotactile actuators when activated being effective to provide vibrotactile stimulation to a discrete location on the subject to induce one or more movements on the part of the subject in order to counteract said variance. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus for providing motional training to a subject, comprising:
 a force plate having at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being operative to produce input signals in response to shifting of the center of pressure of a subject positioned on said first plate in one or more of forward, rearward and side-to-side directions and combinations thereof;   a radio-controlled moveable device having a receiver;   a controller coupled to said at least one sensor of said force plate, said controller being operative in response to receipt of said input signals to transmit control signals to said receiver causing said moveable device to move in the same direction as the shift of the subject's center of pressure;   a number of vibrotactile actuators coupled to said controller, each of said vibrotactile actuators begin positioned on the subject at a location corresponding to one of said forward, rearward or side-to-side directions, or to combinations thereof;   said controller being effective to process said input signals to determine if there is a variance between the shifting of the subject's center of pressure and predetermined parameters within which said shifting is permitted to take place, said controller being operative to activate one or more of said vibrotactile actuators in the event of a variance to induce the subject to shift his or her center of pressure in order to correct said variance.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  in which said input signals produced by said at least one sensor correspond to the direction in which the center of pressure of the subject is shifted. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  in which the location at which each of said vibrotactile actuators is positioned on the subject corresponds to one of said forward, rearward or side-to-side directions, or to combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  in which said controller is operative to compare said input signals to a predetermined maximum extent of shifting of a subject's center of pressure in any one or more of the forward, rearward and side-to-side directions and combinations thereof, said controller producing one or more activation signals in the event of a variance between any of said input signals and said predetermined maximum extent of shifting of a subject's center of pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  in which said controller is operative to transmit an activation signal to each of said vibrotactile actuator which is positioned on the subject at a location corresponding to the direction in which shifting of the subjects center of pressure exceeds said predetermined maximum extent, each of said vibrotactile actuators when activated being effective to provide vibrotactile stimulation to a discrete location on the subject to induce one or more movements on the part of the subject in order to counteract said variance.