Applicability of Smartphone for Dynamic Postural Stability Evaluation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of smartphone’s gyroscope for dynamic postural stability among young healthy adults. The research included convenience sample of 85 healthy adults—37 women (mean age 22.1±1.6, body height 167.2±7.0) and 48 men (mean age 22.4±1.7, body height 176.1±13.8). In order to assess the accuracy of stabilometric measurement recorded by mobile phone, the raw data obtained at the same time by Sigma Balance Platform and Smartphone (SP) were correlated. Two thirty-second trials with one-minute interval break were performed (first in the frontal plane and second in the sagittal plane). A total of 170 measurements of postural stability were recorded (85 in frontal and 85 in the sagittal plane). The following parameters were included: the path of the stabilogram (in the case of SP, angular path) and the variation of the swing (standard deviation of the horizontal deflection of the platform). The results have shown strong and significant relationship between body sway variability measured by Sigma platform and smartphone in frontal (r=0.997) and sagittal (r=0.990) plane. For the geometric center of the platform and angular path distances, the correlation coefficient was also statistically significant and high, considering both lateral (r=0.999) and anterior-posterior sway (r=0.981). Our research shows that smartphones with gyroscope have potential for accurate assessment of postural balance, as an alternative for expensive and specialized equipment.

Reliability of assessing ballet dancers’ postural stability in the unshod and the en pointe relevé position with a smartphone application

“…the results indicate the total balance score as the most reliable postural stability measure provided by the YMED Balance test application used in the present study, whereas the directional coM information (spatial or temporal) appears of relative but not of absolute reliability value. the superior reliability of the total balance score over the directional coM measures is supported by both the relative and absolute reliability indices and agrees with studies of varying smartphone reliability depending on the variable used to examine postural stability [16]. overall, the total balance score reliability appears similar to other smartphone applications; Amick et al [14] report excellent relative reliability with Iccs of 0.78 (SEM: 5.82) in standing tasks (full contact with the floor, double or single leg standing, 2 trials) using the Sway balance mobile application.…”

“…Although the laboratory devices provide a state-ofthe-art quantitative evaluation of postural stability, they involve a high cost in both money and time, the evaluation procedure is complex, and a field setting is often not applicable because of the limited portability of the devices [14][15][16]. Smartphones can be regarded as a solution for overcoming the limitations of laboratory-based assessments.…”

“…Smartphones can be regarded as a solution for overcoming the limitations of laboratory-based assessments. Portability, together with their built-in accelerometers, have turned smartphones into a major potential for objective and convenient (easy, portable, and affordable) postural stability assessment in a field setting [14,[16][17][18]. In such a case, the reliability of the smartphone application itself, as well as of the particular standing position and the examinee specificity remains an issue of concern [9,15,17].…”

Wavelet Decomposition in Analysis of Impact of Virtual Reality Head Mounted Display Systems on Postural Stability

“…Physical exercises are becoming more and more popular and desirable thanks to development of modern techniques including the use of virtual reality technology. Virtual reality technology increases the attractiveness of physical training and provides feedback in real time, which can positively influence the therapy results [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Validity of Measurement for Trailing Limb Angle and Propulsion Force during Gait Using a Magnetic Inertial Measurement Unit

“…However, neither have ever been utilized in clinical practice because of complications in measurement and data processing. Conversely, wearable sensors including magnetic and inertial measurement units (IMU), permitting the objective and simple assessment of human movement, have become widely used tools in motion analysis [25][26][27][28][29][30]. TLA might be estimated from thigh and shank segment angles obtained by IMU.…”