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Validity of a Smartphone-based instrumented Timed Up and Go
Sabato Mellone1, Carlo Tacconi, Lorenzo Chiari
1Biomedical Engineering Unit, Department of Electronics, Computer Science & Systems, University of Bologna, Italy. sabato.mellone@unibo.it
Gait & Posture
|March 17, 2012
Summary
Smartphones can accurately measure balance and mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. This study validates smartphone use as a low-cost tool for quantitative mobility analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The Timed Up and Go (TUG) is a standard clinical assessment for balance and mobility.
- Instrumented TUG (iTUG) enhances assessment with specialized sensors.
- Smartphones offer accessible, ubiquitous sensing capabilities with embedded accelerometers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and reliability of using a smartphone as an instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) device.
- To determine if smartphone-based iTUG can provide clinically valuable mobility and balance metrics.
- To assess the potential of smartphones as a low-cost, pervasive tool for quantitative mobility analysis.
Main Methods:
- 49 subjects (mean age 59 ± 16 years) performed the TUG test.
- Simultaneous data collection using a smartphone and a specialized movement analysis device (McRoberts Dynaport Hybrid).
- Statistical analysis of agreement, inter-rater reliability, and intra-rater reliability between the two systems.
Main Results:
- Good statistical agreement was found between smartphone and specialized device for clinically relevant TUG parameters.
- Excellent inter-rater reliability was observed.
- High intra-rater reliability was confirmed in a subgroup of 25 subjects for both devices.
Conclusions:
- Smartphones demonstrate validity for instrumenting the TUG test.
- Smartphone-based iTUG is a promising low-cost and accessible tool for quantitative balance and mobility assessment.
- This technology has the potential for widespread clinical adoption in evaluating mobility and balance.
