INCLINOMETER

The inclinometer is a sensor that closes an electric circuit when movements occur on the frontal - sagittal plane, providing position feedback, as it reads absolute movements of the body (trunk movements, in the examples that follow) and provides information on them. 

The signalling device can be visual, acoustic or vibratory.

Visual feedback (FB) is useful when “setting” the instrument, to determine the angle beyond which the patient will feel the stimulus (sound / vibration). This avoids confusion being created, by providing the patient with a signal only when correctly set. In the most advanced learning stage, self-evaluation exercises are provided for (“summary feedback”) in which the therapist watches the LED and has an objective parameter to compare with the perception expressed by the patient while executing a series of tests.

Sound FB is commonly used because it informs the patient timeously and precisely, drawing their attention to the motorial behaviour of the area involved. It is particularly useful for patients that tend to have limited attentive participation in the treatment.

Vibrating FB is provided by a “vibrating pad” 2 cm in diameter, which will be positioned near the area of muscle you wish to stimulate / block. This results in the patient reducing the time lapse between information and response, because they do not have to interpret a sound or LED, but receive the information at the point monitored.

Visual / acoustic / vibratory FB has a warning and alarm meaning in relation to an incorrect gesture (negative FB) or recognition of correct execution (positive FB). For the same movements, the inclinometer is positioned in opposite directions to implement the two different modes.

As shown in the pictures, to set the range beyond which the feedback is activated, simply adjust the antenna, changing the tilt on it. The closer it is to the horizontal position, the more sensitive it will be to movements on that plane. The antenna is screwed to a support that is positioned using a velcro strip on the front or back of the thoracic viewer strap. In the two images above information is provided on movements in the frontal plane (lt-rt inclination). In the images below the reference plane is the saggital (flexing - extending).

The item comprises the following elements:

• Inclinometer
• Electrical connection
• Vibrating pad
• Inclinometer support
• Thoracic viewer
• Strap for thoracic viewer
• Additional acoustic signalling device

The positional feedback inclinometer and protractor dealt with here are part of a larger set of rehabilitation aids named LEONARDO and explained in the "Rehabilitation" section