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Using Mobile Technology to Assess Balance During a Sit-to-Stand Maneuver Among Older Adults With Fall Risk: A Pilot
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
|September 28, 2019
Summary
Older adults experience balance issues and falls, often linked to orthostatic hypotension. This study used wearable sensors to measure body sway during sit-to-stand actions in older adults to assess fall risk.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Older adults (≥65) frequently experience balance impairment, leading to reduced mobility and increased fall risk.
- Orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure upon standing, is a treatable condition linked to balance loss and falls in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body sway, blood pressure changes, and dizziness during a sit-to-stand maneuver in older adults.
- To explore the utility of wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) technology for assessing balance in older adults.
Main Methods:
- An Android device was attached to the center of mass to measure body sway during a sit-to-stand movement.
- Researchers simultaneously recorded participants' sitting and standing blood pressure and subjective dizziness symptoms.
- Data from two older adult participants were analyzed to demonstrate the method's feasibility.
Main Results:
- The study successfully collected data on body sway and physiological responses during the sit-to-stand maneuver.
- Preliminary analysis illustrated the potential of IMU technology to quantify balance during functional movements.
Conclusions:
- Wearable IMU technology shows promise for developing objective measures of balance in older adults.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to validate these findings and refine the assessment methods.
