Four ForcePlates

The dual-axis DFP4 ForcePlates system is designed to accurately and objectively assess a patient's ability to maintain postural stability on a static surface, and evaluate progress over time as an outcome measure.

Balance training is another major benefit of the dual-axis ForcePlate system. The interactive Activities bring an element of fun into the therapy session, motivating the patient to strengthen the lower extremities whilst also addressing proprioception, motor control and balance.

Dual-Axis Weight-Bearing Balance

The position of the ForcePlates in the BaseFrame may be varied to accommodate different stance widths from pediatrics to adults. For additional flexibility the ForcePlates can be removed from the BaseFrame and used with other everyday equipment.
Although designed predominantly to be used with the lower extremities, the ForcePlates also provide evaluation and weight bearing exercise for seated balance.
E-LINK ForcePlates are the ideal, flexible system for clinicians seeking to address weight-bearing balance problems for patients in their care.

The patient stands on the ForcePlates with the medial arch placed over the gap between the front and back ForcePlates. Thus, foot positioning is standardized reducing any variability for analysis.

As the patient stands on the ForcePlates, the clinician easily activates the software to perform a timed balance test for 5,10,15,30 or 60 seconds. The patient's symmetrical weight distribution over the ForcePlates is scientifically quantified in both the anterior-posterior (front/back) and medial-lateral (left/right) axes simultaneously.

Fluctuations in the weight distributed over the ForcePlates are instantly measured and results displayed both in text and graph format for immediate feedback and analysis.

The average % deviation from the center documents symmetry of the patient's stance and the standard deviation % documents stability of the patient's balance.

Up to 10 tests can be compared simultaneously for progress reporting over time and reports are easily generated for outcome measures.

Mini Case History #2 - Using the Dual Axis ForcePlates

Balance training is a major benefit of the DFP4 Dual Axis ForcePlate System and the innovative, interactive Activities bring an exciting element into the therapy session, motivating the patient to exercise. Lower extremities are strengthened whilst also encouraging proprioception, motor control and balance.

For additional flexibility the ForcePlates can be removed from the BaseFrame and used with other everyday equipment to achieve functional goals.

Baseline measurements are taken of the patient's Limits of Stability within their comfort zone and these measurements are then used to set the single or dual axis activities. The parameters can be graded to suit the patient's physical and cognitive state, addressing various therapeutic objectives, as well as ensuring the goals are achievable for each and every patient.

The patient controls their balance for the activity by the loading and unloading of their weight distributed over the ForcePlates. Exercise graphs are generated for each exercise session and form part of the report.

The Activities can be saved in a set sequence and used again for the next session thus saving set-up time for the clinician as well as familiarizing the patient to the Activities.

All the Activities can be graded for progression over time and help build up the patient's confidence in their abilities whilst exercising towards good balance control.

Mini Case History #1 - Using the Dual Axis ForcePlates

ForcePlates FP3 - Mini Case History #1

From the Therapist in a Paediatric Unit in England

“A young man recently attended our unit for a rehab block. He had developed a post viral functional weakness 7 months previously, which resulted in difficulties in controlling his legs, and anti-gravity active ranges at the hips and knees. He had an extremely slow gait pattern and was unable to manage walking for distances of over 100m. He was unable to ascend or descend stairs apart from on his bottom. He was attending school just one day per week and isolated to his bedroom for home study for the rest of the week. He had previously been very active and was one of the fastest runners in his class, but had had to give up playing football which had been very important to him.

We used the Dual Axis ForcePlates on a daily basis, starting with simple weight shifting from left to right and gradually increasing the demands. We saw his strength, speed, and body awareness improve over the course of the session and again when he presented again the next day. Towards the end of the block we were able to set the system up to replicate climbing stairs and speeding up his weight shifting as per a normal walking speed. He left the hospital walking at a normal pace, could climb and descend stairs on his feet, and manage longer distance walks of up to 1km.

He's looking at returning to school full time after the summer holidays and we expect he'll soon regain his higher level gross motor skills and be able to recommence his sports and other active leisure pursuits.”

From the Patient

“I was admitted into hospital for two weeks with weakness in both legs. During my two weeks in hospital, Biometrics E-LINK helped me get back to walking. In my first session of O.T. I used Biometrics E-LINK and kept using it until my last sessions. It was a lot of hard work, but it also made getting better fun and a lot easier to do. Some of the reasons why it is so good is that there are so many different things on there, and young children would love the games on it. It's just great. I am really glad I got to try the Biometrics E-LINK and I'm thankful because it helped me get back to walking.”

Interactive Activities

Problems with balance are a common occurrence for patients following a brain injury or resulting from a chronic medical condition. Poor co-ordination and a loss of stability can lead to a lack of confidence and pre-dispose to falls.

In collaboration with clinicians, E-LINK Activities have been designed to meet the needs of patients following a Stroke or those with neurological problems as well as those with orthopedic conditions who may be well used to using Computer-based Activities.

The Activities therefore can be as simple as moving a ball from one side of the screen to another and holding the ball on a wall for a determined length of time; or just holding the seesaw in a steady balance. At the other end of the scale, the Activity may involve moving a marble through a complex maze or placing many jigsaw pieces in a puzzle.

All the Activities can be graded for progression over time and help build up the patient's confidence in their abilities whilst exercising towards good balance control.