Digital Health

Biography

Biography: Joshua Wies

Abstract

The smart phone is now a ubiquitous and commoditized device and has achieved high levels of market penetration amongst those over 65¹. Studies have demonstrated that it is possible to use the smart phone to assess physical function^2,3. Methods: In the current study, a group of stroke survivors attending a support group were assessed by a non-medically trained person, using Equilibrium Pro™ - a smart phone application. Study participants gave informed consent and IRB approval for the study was given by the Ventura County Healthcare Agency IRB. Eight stroke survivors (mean age = 69, sd=13y.) and fourteen people without a history of stroke (mean age = 74, sd=12y.) completed the study. A short medical history was taken, and the participants then completed three tests of physical function that a physical therapist would normally conduct in an assessment, using a stopwatch: the Five times Sit to Stand Test⁴; the Timed Up and Go Test⁵; and, a timed 10-meter walk⁶. Analysis & Results: Groups were compared using a 2-tailed Student’s T-Test. For all tests, the Stroke group performed significantly worse, taking more time to complete tests and walking more slowly. Discussion & Conclusions: The three tests performed related to the risk of future falls in older adults and as such, showed elevated fall risk in the Stroke group. In the study, at risk individuals were advised of preventative exercises to undertake to reduce their fall risk.  It was shown that it is feasible to accurately assess physical function in stroke survivors and that participants respond well to real time feedback and advice on their physical function and fall risk. The Equilibrium Pro™ smart phone application was easy to administer and did not require any extensive training or medical background. Using Equilibrium Pro™ may allow for the early detection and prevention of falls⁷ risk and further work should be conducted to determine the predictive validity of the application.