The Need
The major need for a virtual finger derives from the stigma attached to current mobility aids such as canes and walkers. Both canes and walkers, while effective in aiding balance, are viewed as a marker of disability and are generally not societally acceptable. Most importantly, patients do not like having to use these aids, which can lead to problems such as falls if patients should choose not to use their cane or walker.
Additionally, many patients do not use their canes and walkers properly. As a balance aid, a cane can be effective when used for sensory input only, whereas many patients bear weight on their canes for mechanical stability, much like a crutch. Walkers are also misused; the intention is for patients to stand within the frame of the walker for maximal support but many patients, when walking, lead with the walker out in front and stand too far behind the frame to use it effectively.
Canes and walkers, in addition to holding an undesirable social perception, are not practical in every situation. They can be unwieldy and difficult to use in crowds and up and down stairs. In addition to not providing ideal support for the patient under all circumstances, canes and walkers also cause the patient to lose some functionality as these mobility aids occupy one or both hands, limiting day-to-day activities.Therefore, a virtual finger that is unobtrusive, can be used in any setting, and that carries no stigma would not only improve patient morale but patient outcomes as well by preventing falls and other injuries.
Another place for the virtual finger is as a training tool to help patients regain their own balance signals. A virtual finger device could be programmed to overemphasize any corrective signals, which over time, would allow patients hone their ability to maintain their balance independently. This use fills a role that a mobility aid such as a cane or walker could not do, as neither aid can strengthen a patient’s balance over time.
Finally, a virtual finger device could be combined with the use of a cane or walker to further aid balance and provide some redundancy to ensure prevention of injury.
The virtual finger, given the need enumerated above, must provide feedback to the patient about the positioning of their body; this feedback would lead to corrective movement to maintain balance. Thus, the virtual finger replaces the body’s own balancing signals that are missing due to vestibular system disorders or old age.
Additionally, many patients do not use their canes and walkers properly. As a balance aid, a cane can be effective when used for sensory input only, whereas many patients bear weight on their canes for mechanical stability, much like a crutch. Walkers are also misused; the intention is for patients to stand within the frame of the walker for maximal support but many patients, when walking, lead with the walker out in front and stand too far behind the frame to use it effectively.
Canes and walkers, in addition to holding an undesirable social perception, are not practical in every situation. They can be unwieldy and difficult to use in crowds and up and down stairs. In addition to not providing ideal support for the patient under all circumstances, canes and walkers also cause the patient to lose some functionality as these mobility aids occupy one or both hands, limiting day-to-day activities.Therefore, a virtual finger that is unobtrusive, can be used in any setting, and that carries no stigma would not only improve patient morale but patient outcomes as well by preventing falls and other injuries.
Another place for the virtual finger is as a training tool to help patients regain their own balance signals. A virtual finger device could be programmed to overemphasize any corrective signals, which over time, would allow patients hone their ability to maintain their balance independently. This use fills a role that a mobility aid such as a cane or walker could not do, as neither aid can strengthen a patient’s balance over time.
Finally, a virtual finger device could be combined with the use of a cane or walker to further aid balance and provide some redundancy to ensure prevention of injury.
The virtual finger, given the need enumerated above, must provide feedback to the patient about the positioning of their body; this feedback would lead to corrective movement to maintain balance. Thus, the virtual finger replaces the body’s own balancing signals that are missing due to vestibular system disorders or old age.