Validation of the Equidyn protocol for evaluation of dynamic balance in older adults through a smartphone application

• Published in: Gait & posture Vol. 111; pp. 59 - 64
• Main Authors: Valenciano, Paola Janeiro, Monteiro, Pedro Henrique Martins, Lazzaro, Isabela Montoro, Heusi da Silva, Fernando José Martins, Silva, Fabio Henrique, Mizrahi, Saul Eliahú, Guimarães, Carla Patricia, Teixeira, Luis Augusto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Accelerometry; Aging; Dynamic equilibrium; Unipedal stance; Aging; Accelerometry; Dynamic equilibrium; Unipedal stance
• ISSN: 0966-6362; 1879-2219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.04.004

Different tasks and proxy measurements have been employed to evaluate dynamic balance in older individuals. However, due to inherent limitations, results from most evaluations could hardly be taken as valid measurements of dynamic balance. Is the Equidyn smartphone application-based protocol valid and sensitive for assessment of dynamic balance in older adults? Dynamic balance was evaluated in 52 physically active individuals, age range 60–80 years (M = 69.36). The dynamic tasks were one-leg sway either in the mediolateral (ML) or anteroposterior (AP) direction while supported on the contralateral leg, and cyclic sit-to-stand with a narrow support base. These tasks were performed under standardized movement amplitude and rhythm. Outcomes were correlated with unipedal quiet standing. A smartphone was attached to the trunk backside, and a custom-made application (Equidyn) was employed to provide guidance throughout evaluation, timed beeps to pace the movements, and three-dimensional trunk acceleration measurement for balance evaluation. Our data showed (a) that both ML and AP leg sway tasks were sensitive to aging and to direction of leg sway movements; (b) referenced to quiet unipedal stance, moderate/strong correlations for the ML/AP leg sway tasks and moderate correlations for the sit-to-stand task; and (c) moderate/strong correlations between the ML and AP leg sway tasks, and moderate correlations between the sit-to-stand and the two unipedal dynamic tasks in the ML acceleration direction. The current results support the conclusion that the Equidyn protocol is a sensitive and valid tool to evaluate dynamic balance in healthy older individuals. The protocol tasks standardized in amplitude and rhythm favor their reproducibility and trunk acceleration data interpretation. As the whole assessment is made through a smartphone application, this dynamic balance evaluation could be made in a low-cost simple way both in the laboratory and clinical settings. •Protocol test of dynamic balance for older people based on a smartphone application.•Trunk acceleration measure in challenging paced movements standardized in amplitude.•Results indicated sensibility of dynamic balance measure to age and task requirements.•Moderate/strong correlations with trunk acceleration values on unipedal quiet stance.