Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42884410›Full record

ArticleSensors (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Methodological Framework for Multi-Cell Posturography Enabling Unconstrained Foot Placement and Open-Source Balance Assessment.

Otto Hofstätter, Thomas Bochdansky, Anton Sabo, Mikael Bäckström

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Otto HofstätterEngineering, Mathematics and Science Education, Mid Sweden University, SE-831 25 Östersund, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-1960-5101
Thomas BochdanskyLife Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, A-1200 Vienna, Austria.
Anton SaboLife Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, A-1200 Vienna, Austria.
Mikael BäckströmEngineering, Mathematics and Science Education, Mid Sweden University, SE-831 25 Östersund, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesComputer-assisted posturography is utilized to quantify human postural control, yet existing dedicated systems frequently present physical constraints, such as limited sensing surfaces and rigid hardware barriers. In this study, a methodological framework is presented and a structural arrangement (OpenBalance) is designed to implement balance assessment accommodating a wider anthropometric range through zone-based foot placement using a decentralized load cell array, with preliminary implementation details provided in a repository.

methodsThe configuration comprises an array of 16 discrete uniaxial vertical-force load cells embedded within four mechanically decoupled sub-platforms to minimize mechanical cross-talk. Biomechanical moment equations were implemented in a custom Python pipeline to compute a localized Center of Pressure (COP) for each sub-platform independently. A vector-based data fusion algorithm maps these local coordinates into a unified global coordinate system. The system evaluation incorporated baseline signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analysis, mechanical crosstalk testing, and digital low-pass filtering.

resultsA proof-of-concept evaluation using empirical data confirmed that the cascading coordinate model produces a continuous global COP trajectory and quadrant-specific load distributions. The platform dimensions (355 × 460 mm) and sensor topography geometrically accommodate natural external foot rotation (incorporating a 10° toe-out angle projection) and foot lengths corresponding to EU shoe sizes up to 55. Mechanical crosstalk between adjacent sub-platforms remained minimal (<1% of applied load).

conclusionsThe OpenBalance framework confirms the technical feasibility of deriving a continuous global COP from a decentralized array of distributed load cells. While baseline component specifications and static verifications are established, comprehensive dynamic cross-validation against reference standards remains a necessary next step for the future development of open hardware that can be produced using 3D printing.

Indexed as

FootPostural BalanceAlgorithmsBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansPressurebalance assessmentbiomechanicscenter of pressuremulti-cell posturographyopen-sourceweight distribution index

Identifiers

PMID42884410
PMCPMC13667676

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.