Instrumento de quantificação de movimentos de cabeça durante a avaliação de equilíbrio

Abstract

This thesis describes the development of an instrument in the analysis and research of human balance. The instrument operates by providing data quantifying the selective head movements performed during measurement of the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR). The VOR acts to stabilize the eye, to ensure a clear view during head movements. One of the techniques used in the evaluation of the vestibular system aims to observe the VOR in response to selective movements of the head. The algorithm developed for this study uses digital signal processing of three-dimensional data acquired by a sensor Kinect for Windows from Microsoft, and the detection of colored marks affixed to the quantification device of VOR in predetermined locations and with specific distances between the marks. The developed application allows the acquisition and display, graphically and synchronized, of the acquired data during the quantification of the stimuli used during the measurement of VOR. These graphs are corresponding to the three possible directions of rotation of the head where the VOR responds: horizontal (yaw), vertical (pitch) and torsional (roll). The application was developed with the C# programming language. Tests to evaluate the robustness and accuracy of the instrument were conducted through a device developed in this thesis, which performs mechanically, by means of a servomotor controlled movements, the movement of the marks. These movements were programmed to simulate the selective movements of head at different amplitudes and velocities.