Researchers across the globe have been searching for a reliable balance testing system for decades.
Now, with the development of The Neurometric balance mat, researchers in falls risk, ageing, physiotherapy, neuropathology, exercise science and exercise physiology can perform seven standard balance assessment tests using a single device.
The first or “normal stance” test measures the balance of a person standing still on the mat with their feet side-by-side. A score of zero indicates zero postural sway and implies the person has excellent balance.
Test 2 is the same as Test 1 but with the person’s eyes closed.
This extra functionality has been developed specifically for researchers into static balance ability and falls risk and particularly those assessing neurological conditions or the nexus between balance and certain medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.
The tandem stance test involves the person standing with one foot in front of the other, heel to toe. It tests lateral postural stability by narrowing the base of support and gives valuable information about the person’s sense of positioning, or proprioception, and motor coordination. Although many people find the stance difficult to maintain someone with excellent balance can achieve a score of zero.
Test 4 is a repeat of Test 3, only with the person’s eyes closed. As for Test 2, the extra eyes-closed functionality can be used by balance, falls risk and neurological researchers.
Sometimes called the Stork or Flamingo, this test requires the person to stand on their left foot on the Balance Mat. The time they can stand one-legged is an important indicator of balance ability. The dynamic graph and score give an extra and more nuanced reading.
Test 6 is a repeat of Test 5, only with the person’s eyes closed. As for Test 2, the extra eyes-closed functionality can be used by balance, falls risk and neurological researchers.
This test requires the person to stand on their right foot on the right footprint. The ability to measure static balance on each leg independently and compare the results is unique to the Balance Mat.
Test 8 is a repeat of Test 7, only with the person’s eyes closed. As for Test 2, the extra eyes-closed functionality can be used by balance, falls risk and neurological researchers.
Powered by Balancemetrix technology, the Neurometric balance mat works by sensing and recording the continuous postural adjustments of a person standing on a rubber sensor mat during a sequence of eight 20-second tests.
The testing kit comprises software and hardware for eight sequential balance tests; normal, normal-with-eyes-closed, tandem, tandem-with-eyes-closed, left foot, left foot with eyes closed, right foot, right foot with eyes closed, and access to the Balancemetrix advanced analytics system to assist scientific research into balance-related health conditions, particularly those with a neurological dimension.
Balance data is displayed on a Windows 10 or 11 or Mac OS computer as real-time graphs and scores. The final graphs, scores, biodata, health status and relevant notes are captured in the score information system for later use, making the system an ideal tool for medical, falls and allied health researchers alike.
Clinical testing with more than 400 patients was performed at Hastings Medical Centre in Wauchope, NSW. This initial testing assessed the balance of each patient and at the time of writing in June 2022 a study of the correlation between diabetes and balance ability is proceeding.
The Balance Mat system was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in December 2021.
The product was launched by the Member for Lyne and former Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie MP in January 2022.
Recently the Balance Mat was validated by researchers at RMIT University and the University of Canberra against force plates and inertial sensors. Papers in the scientific literature are in preparation and the results due to appear shortly.
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