Measurement system for gesture characterization during chest physiotherapy act on newborn babies suffering from bronchiolitis.

Despite the lack of studies, chest physiotherapy (CPT) is widely used for newborn babies suffering from bronchiolitis. The limited data regarding this technique is mainly due to the difficulties making in situ measurements during the act. In the presented study, original instrumented gloves were designed and realized to perform measurements on babies during the CPT act. Custom-designed associated electronics and software were specially developed to monitor and record the forces applied by the physiotherapist's hands on the infant's chest and their trajectories. A prospective study, with babies in real situation, validates the principle measurement. Measurements with the system was led on babies in a referent physiotherapist consulting room between January and March 2007. The results are being analyzed and typical phases of the CPT act are highlighted.