A portable, low-cost system for posturography: a platform for longitudinal balance telemetry.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB) is a low-cost, commercially available gaming device that shares many characteristics with a laboratory-grade forceplate. This study evaluates the WBB and explores its potential application as a low-cost posturography system. METHODS: Custom software was written to interface with the WBB and measure the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB). Centre of pressure (COP) path length was the primary outcome measure. Healthy patients without a history of vestibular problems were recruited to undertake testing on the WBB and underwent matched testing on an AMTI forceplate. RESULTS: Evaluation of the WBB transducers demonstrated excellent linearity (r = .994, p < .0001). Bland-Altman plots did not demonstrate any relationship between the mean and the difference for the four tested conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The WBB can be used as part of a portable, low-cost posturography system offering new options for longitudinal telemetry and in-home testing.