AI Article Synopsis
- A new smartphone app called BalanceLab was developed to assess balance in older adults using an accelerometer sensor.
- The study involved 20 older adults performing three balance tests, finding that static assessments showed strong correlations with standard methods, while dynamic tests did not.
- Overall, BalanceLab demonstrated good reliability for static balance assessments, indicating it could be a useful tool for evaluating balance in older adults.
Article Abstract
Background: Postural instability is a risk factor for falls in older adults. It is possible to detect postural stability using an integrated accelerometer (ACC) sensor in a smartphone. Therefore, a novel ACC-based smartphone application running on the Android operating system called BalanceLab was created and tested.
Purpose: This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a novel ACC-based Android smartphone application for assessing balance in older adults.
Methods: Using BalanceLab, 20 older adults completed three balance assessments: the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (MCTSIB), a single-leg stance test (SLST), and a limit of stability test (LOS). The validity of this mobile application was investigated using a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale. The test-retest reliability of this mobile application was determined on two separate occasions within one day, at least two hours apart.
Results: The two static balance assessments (the MCTSIB and SLST) demonstrated moderate to excellent correlation with the 3D motion analysis system (r = 0.70-0.91) and the FAB scale (r = 0.67-0.80). However, the majority of the dynamic balance tests (the LOS tests) did not demonstrate any correlation with the 3D motion analysis system or the FAB scale. This novel ACC-based application demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.76-0.91).
Conclusion: A static, but not dynamic, balance assessment tool that uses a novel ACC-based application for Android can be used to measure balance in older adults. This application has moderate to excellent validity and test-retest reliability.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.06.016 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!