Gait & Posture · Jun 22, 2023

Testing the validity and reliability of a new android application-based accelerometer balance assessment tool for community-dwelling older adults

By Pooranawatthanakul K, Siriphorn A

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.

doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.06.016PubMed 37379735Biomarkers