Studies using Smartphone
for Postural Balance and
Functional Performance
Authors
Charlotte J Marshall, Doa El-Ansary, Adrian Pranata, Charlotte Ganderton, John O’Donnell, Amir Takla, Phong Tran, Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Oren Tirosh
Sensors 22 (21), 8154
Abstract
Background: Tele-health has become a major mode of delivery in patient care, with increasing interest in the use of tele-platforms for remote patient assessment. The use of smartphone technology to measure hip range of motion has been reported previously, with good to excellent validity and reliability. However, these smartphone applications did not provide real-time tele-assessment functionality. We developed a novel smartphone application, the TelePhysio app, which allows the clinician to remotely connect to the patient’s device and measure their hip range of motion in real time. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity and between-sessions reliability of the TelePhysio app. In addition, the study investigated the concurrent validity, between-sessions, and inter-rater reliability of a second tele-assessment approach using video analysis. Methods: Fifteen participants (nfemales = 6) were assessed in our laboratory (session 1) and at their home (session 2). We assessed maximum voluntary active hip flexion in supine and hip internal and external rotation, in both prone and sitting positions. TelePhysio and video analysis were validated against the laboratory’s 3-dimensional motion capture system in session 1, and evaluated for between-sessions reliability in session 2. Video analysis inter-rater reliability was assessed by comparing the analysis of two raters in session 2. Results: The TelePhysio app demonstrated high concurrent validity against the 3D motion capture system (ICCs 0.63–0.83) for all hip movements in all positions, with the exception of hip internal rotation in prone (ICC = 0.48, p = 0.99). The video analysis demonstrated almost perfect concurrent validity against the 3D motion capture system (ICCs 0.85–0.94) for all hip movements in all positions, with the exception of hip internal rotation in prone (ICC = 0.44, p = 0.01). The TelePhysio and video analysis demonstrated good between-sessions reliability for hip external rotation and hip flexion, ICC 0.64 and 0.62, respectively. The between-sessions reliability of hip internal and external rotation for both TelePhysio and video analysis was fair (ICCs 0.36–0.63). Inter-rater reliability ICCs for the video analysis were 0.59 for hip flexion and 0.87–0.95 for the hip rotation range. Conclusions: Both tele-assessment approaches, using either a smartphone application or video analysis, demonstrate good to excellent concurrent validity, and moderate to substantial between-sessions reliability in measuring hip rotation and flexion range of motion, but less in internal hip rotation in the prone position. Thus, it is recommended that the seated position be used when assessing hip internal rotation. The use of a smartphone to remotely assess hip range of motion is an appropriate, effective, and low-cost alternative to the face-to-face assessments. This method provides a simple, cost effective, and accessible patient assessment tool with no additional cost. This study validates the use of smartphone technology as a tele-assessment tool for remote hip range of motion assessment.Authors
Oren Tirosh, John Zelcer, Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Digital Disruption in Healthcare. 2022, 103-117
Abstract
An aging population coupled with longer life expectancy has resulted in an exponential growth in total hip and total knee replacements (THR) (TKR). Especially during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, support for patients recovering form THR and TKR was difficult due to reduction in face-toface visits. To address this and enable Australians to have a better patient experience, the following proffers a tele-assessment solution, ARIADNE (Assist foR hIp AnD kNEe), that can provide high quality care, with access for all and support for high value outcomes..
Authors
Oren Tirosh, Amir Andargoli, Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Proceedings of the 55th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences | 2022
Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has served to highlight the benefits of digital health in general and telehealth in particular. One area of telehealth that is particularly important is that of teleassessment. Currently, we are witnessing an exponential growth in total knee and total hip replacements (TKR)(THR) due to an aging population coupled with longer life expectancy which is leading to a high likelihood of an unsustainable burden for healthcare delivery in Australia. To address this imminent challenge, the following proffers a tele-assessment solution, ARIADNE (Assist foR hIp AnD kNEe), that can provide high quality care, with access for all and support for high value outcomes. A fit viability assessment is provided to demonstrate benefits of the proffered solution.
Authors
Jeremy, A. Patterson, Ryan Z. Amick, Tarunkumar Thummar, and Michael E. Rogers,
Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Apr; 9(2): 135–139.
Abstract
Purpose/Background:
A number of different balance assessment techniques are currently available and widely used. These include both subjective and objective assessments. The ability to provide quantitative measures of balance and posture is the benefit of objective tools, however these instruments are not generally utilized outside of research laboratory settings due to cost, complexity of operation, size, duration of assessment, and general practicality. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the value and validity of using software developed to access the iPod and iPhone accelerometers output and translate that to the measurement of human balance.
Methods:
Thirty healthy college‐aged individuals (13 male, 17 female; age = 26.1 ± 8.5 years) volunteered. Participants performed a static Athlete's Single Leg Test protocol for 10 sec, on a Biodex Balance System SD while concurrently utilizing a mobile device with balance software. Anterior/posterior stability was recorded using both devices, described as the displacement in degrees from level, and was termed the “balance score.”
Results:
There were no significant differences between the two reported balance scores (p = 0.818. Mean balance score on the balance platform was 1.41 ± 0.90, as compared to 1.38 ± 0.72 using the mobile device.
Conclusions:
There is a need for a valid, convenient, and cost‐effective tool to objectively measure balance. Results of this study are promising, as balance score derived from the Smartphone accelerometers were consistent with balance scores obtained from a previously validated balance system. However, further investigation is necessary as this version of the mobile software only assessed balance in the anterior/posterior direction. Additionally, further testing is necessary on a healthy populations and as well as those with impairment of the motor control system.
Authors
Jose A. Moral-Munoz, Bernabe Esteban-Moreno, Enrique Herrera-Viedma, Manuel J. Cobo & Ignacio J. Pérez
IJournal of Medical Systems volume 42, Article number: 119 (2018)
Abstract
Body balance disorders are related to different injuries that contribute to a wide range of healthcare issues. The social and financial costs of these conditions are high. Therefore, quick and reliable body balance assessment can contribute to the prevention of injuries, as well as enhancement of clinical rehabilitation. Moreover, the use of smartphone applications is increasing rapidly since they incorporate different hardware components that allow for body balance assessment. The present study aims to show an analysis of the current applications available on Google Play StoreTM and iTunes App StoreTM to measure this physical condition, using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Three iOS and two Android applications met the inclusion criteria. Three applications have scientific support, Balance test YMED, Balance Test by Slani, and Sway. Furthermore, according to MARS, the main scores for each evaluated domain were: Engagement (2.04), Functionality (3.8), Esthetics (3.53), and Information (3.80). The reviewed applications targeted to assess body balance obtained good mean scores. Sway is the app with highest scores in each MARS domain, followed by iBalance Fitness and Gyrobalance.