Multiple studies have suggested that some associations exist between occlusal factors and postural alterations. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a vibrotactile posture trainer device, comprised a wearable device containing an accelerometer sensor to measure the angle of the neck flexion (input) and provided real-time vibrotactile biofeedback (output) for postural balance among patients with malocclusion. Methods: Twenty-four subjects were divided in 3 groups based on occlusion and using Angle’s classification. Each group consisted of 8 patients for class I, II and III malocclusion. The Posture Trainer System was used for feedback concerning neck flexion angles when higher than 15 degrees. A 4-week training program to adjust posture balance in 2 axes (flexion-extension, lateral-flexion) was applied in activities for daily living. The assessments in this study were comprised of neck flexion angles from the Posture Trainer System and the center of pressure ( $\text{N}\cdot \text{m}$ ) using a force plate. The effects of a vibrotactile posture trainer (baseline vs. post-training test) were evaluated using the paired t-test and were assumed to be significant at p < 0.05 (two-side). All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 21.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Neck flexion angles and center of pressure significantly decreased post-training by the Posture Trainer System among patients with class II malocclusion. No changes in the above parameters post-training were found in class I and class III. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that patients with class II malocclusion training by the Posture Trainer System lowered neck flexion angles and COP compared with pre-training. Clinical Impact: Feedback by the Posture Trainer System can help improve the postural balance in class II malocclusion.

中文翻译：

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用于错牙合患者姿势平衡的振动触觉反馈装置

多项研究表明，咬合因素与姿势改变之间存在一些关联。目的：本研究旨在评估振动触觉姿势训练器设备的有效性，该设备包括一个包含加速度计传感器的可穿戴设备，用于测量颈部屈曲角度（输入），并为患者的姿势平衡提供实时振动触觉生物反馈（输出）与错牙合。方法：24 名受试者根据咬合情况和 Angle 分类法分为 3 组。每组由 8 名 I、II 和 III 级错牙合患者组成。姿势训练器系统用于在高于 15 度时反馈有关颈部屈曲角度的信息。一个为期 4 周的训练计划，用于调整 2 轴（屈曲-伸展、侧屈）应用于日常生活活动。本研究中的评估包括来自姿势训练器系统的颈部屈曲角度和使用测力板的压力中心 ($\text{N}\cdot\text{m}$)。使用配对 t 检验评估振动触觉姿势训练器的效果（基线与训练后测试），并假设在 p < 0.05（两侧）时显着。所有分析均使用社会科学统计软件包 21.0 版（SPSS，芝加哥，伊利诺伊州，美国）进行。结果：在 II 级错牙合患者中，通过姿势训练器系统训练后的颈部屈曲角度和压力中心显着降低。在 I 类和 III 类中未发现上述参数在训练后发生变化。结论：结果表明，与训练前相比，通过 Posture Trainer System 进行 II 级错牙合训练的患者降低了颈部屈曲角度和 COP。临床影响：姿势训练器系统的反馈有助于改善 II 类错牙合的姿势平衡。