Study on the Spine Health Management of the Elderly Using Center of Pressure Data

Abstract

This study intends to develop a system for managing the health of the spinal joints of elderly people who mainly live on Korean floor heating (Ondol). The spine health management system consists of a seat cushion-type posture balance device that can measure the sitting posture, an application for smart devices capable of real-time collection of posture balance data, and a database server for analysis and visualized feedback of the data. Each force signal measured with the four load cells installed in posture balance device is wirelessly transmitted to an Arduino-based Android application, and the center of pressure (COP) value of the sitting position is analyzed using the four load cell data. To test the usability of the spinal health management system, the COP values of front, back, left and right torso tilts of healthy adults in a sitting position were measured with the posture balance device and 3D motion analysis program (Visual 3D, USA). After that, the COP values were compared and analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the COP direction data (front, back, left and right) measured with the posture balance device exactly matched the direction analyzed by the 3D motion analysis system.