Porter Health System recently added the Balance Master® assessment and rehabilitation system at its Portage Outpatient Rehabilitation facility located at 6040 Lute Road in Portage. The Balance Master® system represents the most advanced balance and mobility assessment and treatment equipment available.
“Balance disorders are a serious health concern impacting a large percentage of the population,” explains Jennifer Zdobylak, Outpatient Rehabilitation Manager. “The same technology used to measure equilibrium in NASA shuttle crews pre- and post-flight is now assisting clinicians in assessing and treating patients with balance-related problems at Porter.”
According to Zdobylak, patients with balance, mobility and/or dizziness problems are tested on the Balance Master® which consists of a highly sensitive forceplate connected to a computer. The forceplate measures the patient’s center of gravity and weight-bearing symmetry as they perform various tasks designed to objectively assess functional ability. Specific tests can isolate the different senses (vestibular, visual and somatosensory) that contribute to balance control and help identify the patient’s balance problem. Other performance tests objectively measure the patient’s ability to safely and efficiently perform mobility tasks that are common in daily life activities. The data provided by these computerized tests aid therapists at Porter to develop the best treatment for each individual patient.
“Patients at the clinic can also perform various exercises on the Balance Master as part of their therapy,” states Zdobylak. “The system includes interactive technology with instant biofeedback, which is displayed on a computer screen.” She adds that the clinician can design targets to encourage specific movements by the patient, thereby helping to build physical stability, endurance and confidence. Both the patient and the clinician can see the system’s computer screen in real time as the patient shifts his or her center of gravity. Patients find the interactive nature of the system motivating as they can see immediately how they are performing.
Visit the Porter Health System website
Valparaiso Campus
814 LaPorte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-263-4600
The Balance Master® has specific applications to patients recovering from stroke, head injury, and orthopedic or sports injuries. Additionally, the equipment is also helping aging patients with balance problems such as dizziness, unsteadiness and falls.