MU Researchers Use New Video Gaming Technology to Detect Illness, Prevent Falls in Older Adults From: MU News Bureau (MO) - 09/06/2011 By: Samantha Craven University of Missouri researchers are using motion-sensor technology to monitor changes in assisted-care facility residents. For example, Missouri professor Marjorie Skubic and doctoral student Erik Stone are using Microsoft's Kinect device to monitor behavior and routine changes in patients, which can indicate increased risk for falls or early symptoms of illness. "The Kinect uses infrared light to create a depth image that produces data in the form of a silhouette, instead of a video or photograph," Stone says. He says using Kinect can alleviate "many seniors' concerns about privacy when traditional Web camera-based monitoring systems are used." Meanwhile, Missouri professor Mihail Popescu and doctoral student Liang Liu developed a fall-detection system involving Doppler radar, in which the system identifies changes in walking, bending, and other movements that could reveal an increased risk of falling. "If emergency personnel are informed about a fall right away, it can significantly improve the outcome for the injured patient," Liu says. Both motion-sensing systems provide automated data to care providers, alerting them when a patient needs help. Read the entire article and view a video at: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2011/0906-mu-researchers-use-new-video-gaming-technology-to-detect-illness-prevent-falls-in-older-adults/ Links: Marjorie Skubi http://people.cs.missouri.edu/~skubicm/ Mihail Popescu http://muii.missouri.edu/index.php?pid=12&person=10 Evaluation of an Inexpensive Depth Camera for Passive In-Home Fall Risk Assessment http://eldertech.missouri.edu/files/Papers/StoneE/Evaluation%20of%20an%20Inexpensive%20Depth%20Camera.pdf Automatic Fall Detection Based on Doppler Radar Motion Signature http://eldertech.missouri.edu/files/Papers/LiuLiang/Automatic%20Fall%20Detection%20Based%20on%20Doppler.pdf Center for Eldercare and Rehabilitation Technology http://eldertech.missouri.edu/ AgingMO http://www.agingmo.com/ Xbox Kinect Helps Monitor Seniors' Health http://www.informationweek.com:80/news/healthcare/patient/231601132