Has anyone used 'Balance Belt' or Biofeadback Device?

[Tackeshi]

Hi all,I was wondering if anyone had used a device like a 'Balance Belt' or other Biofeedback Device? To explain, I found a device called a Balance Belt (elitacwearables.com/project.... And wondered if any of you peeps knew of this type of device, or of a device like it? Because the 'Balance Belt' is used to help victims of Vertigo and is available in the UK, as I understand within the NHS (although Private). I thought it could be used in rehab sessions for gait training. The reason I am not using the 'Belt' myself is because, it costs a lot. I would like to know if there had been any previous success stories before splashing out some cash.The theory sounds solid - the device sits over your centre of balance and harnesses several tools to give the wearer haptic (Bio) feedback information. Allowing the wearer to correct their position, and I think the idea is that the wearer could create a subconscious link to the device over time. (Technical bit sorry) but I believe Ataxia degenerates motor control, some neuroplastician believe that, the brain can use any sense to compliment broken ones. And as you know, in some types of Ataxia the Vestibular system has been broken, the Cerebellum can't unscramble the Vestibular information in time. By using touch instead, the brain can bypass some of the Vestibular input. And by using the belt over an extended period, what was conscious thought can become subconcess. So, I wouldn't imagine the 'Balance Belt' could be a 'cure'. My theory is that it could offer Physiotherapists with a tool to aid in Therapy sessions. Much like how a mirror can be used to give the patient visual feedback, but who wants to carry a massive mirror to the shops with them? To clarify, the 'Balance Belt' is not Axial Weighting but Biofeedback. I think, Axial Weighting uses 'stochastic resonance', (adding signal noise to the nervouse system, to the aid the cerebellum in clarifying signa;s - a weird phanomanim) and aid in balance, but I don't know that for sure.Anyway, thanks for reading. Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks... Tak

[wobblybee]

🙂 I have longstanding, worsening Vestibular issues..and feel I automatically sense if I’m unconsciously ‘out of alignment’..I don’t need to have a device to alert me to alter position

‘The BalanceBelt contains several tiny vibration motors (tactors) and an accelerometer. The belt senses the direction the wearer is leaning toward and provides vibrational feedback to alert the wearer about their body position.The wearer interprets the feedback subconsciously, corrects their posture and improves their balance this way.’

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[february]

Hi Tackeshi, I did a 12 week study for the University of Michigan wearing a balance belt, while doing several different exercises, etc. It was helpful at the time, but this was only a study. I have no idea what has happened since.

[wobblybee in reply to february]

🙂 It looks as though results aren’t available

clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/resu...

[Tackeshi]

Thank you everyone for you're replies.

[penelope2]

Have you researched "Reclaiming natural movement" by Thomas Clouse. There is some on videos too. The principles are good.I am just trialling a hearing aid, private as NHS has not been helpful, to hopefully relieve vestibular problems with dizziness and balance. Where does vestibular end and ataxia take over? Its not obvious and doctors don't know either!

Having done so many exercises over the years, I now include very slow precise, smooth and as accurate as possible while trying to move naturally, exercises. I do find these helpful to me. I probably have gluten ataxia which cannot be tested and confirmed as I am not willing to start eating gluten again, fortunately the Professor at Sheffield agrees.

My feelings are that I now rely on my own instincts, this is empowering and helps my mental health too.

Good luck.

[Tackeshi in reply to penelope2]

I have not heard of that book but it does sound interesting. I'll have a look.

Please could you explain your hearing aid idea. I know the 8th cranial nerve or the vestibularococheal nerve carries both vestibular and audio Information to the brain. Then that signal gets Interupted by our freind ataxia. So how could a hearing aid help?

I would recommend the book: The way the brain heals itself. For neuroplastic ideas.

[penelope2]

The book iby Thomas Clause is very expensive, you can sort of get the gist of it on Utube.You sound like you understand the vestibular system. My tinnitus and dizziness was at first thought the reason for the balance problem. So spent a long time at the ENT department before seeing a neurologist at my local hospital. Neither have been helpful so now after lots of reading of research papers I have been coming to my own conclusions.

My thinking is that my brain, the balance centre cerebellum which atrophy shows up on MRI scans, is receiving mixed messages from the hearing in ears. The left side is definitely damaged. thought it would be worth a try to trial the hearing aid to see if the messages were the same from both ears. Interestingly for the first 3 days of the trial I felt nauseous so in my joined up way of thinking then something was happening. To be honest the audiologist did not know if this would help and I had already been rejected by Specsavers as the problems was beyond them.

A friend with a TBI explained that Stanmore said the brain will find new ways to make connections so I'm quite confident that the aid will perhaps rejoin pathways and reduce dizziness and vertigo, which it is doing already. I can't say what company I've used, not allowed to on this site, but it's not one of the common companies on the high street. Of course it cannot redo the damage done by eating gluten but just another small step in the right direction. My ataxia has stabilised now and I shall keep on fighting this condition. I will check out the book you recommend, thank you.

Hope this helps. Take care.

[Tackeshi in reply to penelope2]

Thanks, I have found alot of well informed individuals on here. Like them, I have Ataxia and read up on allot of the causes of it. I also use to be a nurse, so already had some knowledge on physiology and Anatomy.

I also use an ai called open ai chat.openai.com/chat to inform me. I find it useful.

My book, is all about what I call second wave neuroplasticity. In that, neuroplasticity is a known thing, second wave neuroplasticity is all about enhancing it.

It will be interesting to hear about your invention. Good luck and all the best.