A Positional Biofeedback Device for Sitting Balance

Impaired sitting balance is a frequent complication in the treatment of a patient shortly after the onset of stroke, and especially of a patient with bilateral involvement. These patients frequently exhibit delayed equilibrium reactions and loss of correct body-in-space awareness. Visual cues as well as proprioceptive, vestibular, and auditory input are important to help a patient regain good sitting balance. Progress with one of our bilateral stroke patients was limited because she was blind. On admission to our Center, the patient's static and dynamic sitting balance was severely impaired. The patient was unable to sit unsupported and fell spontaneously to the left and to the rear even with one-hand support from the therapist. The patient had poor body-in-space awareness, and she expressed feeling “erect” when her trunk was inclined 30 degrees to the left.