Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Contributors
- Contributors
- Neural repair and rehabilitation: an introduction
- Section A Technology of neurorehabilitation
- Section A1 Outcomes measurement and diagnostic technology
- Section A2 Therapeutic technology
- 6 Cell transplantation therapy for Parkinson's disease
- 7 Conditions of task practice for individuals with neurologic impairments
- 8 Balance training
- 9 Functional electrical stimulation in neurorehabilitation
- 10 Environmental control and assistive devices
- 11 Wheelchair design and seating technology
- 12 Rehabilitation robotics, orthotics, and prosthetics
- 13 Virtual reality in neurorehabilitation
- 14 Communication devices
- Section B Symptom-specific neurorehabilitation
- Section B1 Sensory and motor dysfunctions
- Section B2 Vegetative and autonomic dysfunctions
- Section B3 Cognitive neurorehabilitation
- Section C Disease-specific neurorehabilitation systems
- Index
- Plate section
8 - Balance training
from Section A2 - Therapeutic technology
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Contributors
- Contributors
- Neural repair and rehabilitation: an introduction
- Section A Technology of neurorehabilitation
- Section A1 Outcomes measurement and diagnostic technology
- Section A2 Therapeutic technology
- 6 Cell transplantation therapy for Parkinson's disease
- 7 Conditions of task practice for individuals with neurologic impairments
- 8 Balance training
- 9 Functional electrical stimulation in neurorehabilitation
- 10 Environmental control and assistive devices
- 11 Wheelchair design and seating technology
- 12 Rehabilitation robotics, orthotics, and prosthetics
- 13 Virtual reality in neurorehabilitation
- 14 Communication devices
- Section B Symptom-specific neurorehabilitation
- Section B1 Sensory and motor dysfunctions
- Section B2 Vegetative and autonomic dysfunctions
- Section B3 Cognitive neurorehabilitation
- Section C Disease-specific neurorehabilitation systems
- Index
- Plate section
Summary
Why balance matters
Introduction
Consider riding a bicycle, standing on one leg, or walking along a narrow beam. All of these tasks require active control of balance. In order to successfully complete these tasks one may have to make a conscious effort to keep from falling and practice may be necessary to improve performance. Next consider sitting on a stool, standing quietly, or walking across the floor. It may not be immediately obvious that these tasks also require active balance control and practice, as these tasks can often be performed without devoting attention specifically to the maintenance of an upright posture. However, all of the tasks mentioned above and most other tasks that we perform on a daily basis require the ability to maintain balance. Whether consciously or more automatically controlled, balance is a key, complex skill for successful movement within our changing environments. Although balance is generally viewed as a function of the cerebellum and the vestibular system, balance skills can be compromised by a variety of central neurologic pathologies, such as stroke and Parkinson disease (PD), and by peripheral pathologies such as sensory loss or musculoskeletal injuries. In fact, damage or pathology to almost any part of the body may affect balance because it is a complex skill requiring many resources. Balance performance is a very sensitive measure of health, although it is often not a very specific diagnostic indicator of particular diseases.
Statistics on the incidence and cost of falls
Loss of balance, and the falls that result, are serious problems. Although all age groups are subject to falls, the risk of falling increases exponentially with age (Samelson et al., 2002).
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Textbook of Neural Repair and Rehabilitation , pp. 103 - 118Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2006