Predicting use of a gait-stabilizing device using a Wii Balance Board

Sean M. Mullan; Nicholas J. Evans; Daniel K. Sewell; Shelby L. Francis; Linnea A. Polgreen; Alberto M. Segre; Philip M. Polgreen

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0292548

Back

Predicting use of a gait-stabilizing device using a Wii Balance Board

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Predicting use of a gait-stabilizing device using a Wii Balance Board

Sean M. Mullan, Nicholas J. Evans, Daniel K. Sewell, Shelby L. Francis, Linnea A. Polgreen, Alberto M. Segre and Philip M. Polgreen

PloS one, Vol.18(10), e0292548

10/05/2023

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292548

PMCID: PMC10553233

PMID: 37796884

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292548View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Gait-stabilizing devices (GSDs) are effective at preventing falls, but people are often reluctant to use them until after experiencing a fall. Inexpensive, convenient, and effective methods for predicting which patients need GSDs could help improve adoption. The purpose of this study was to determine if a Wii Balance Board (WBB) can be used to determine whether or not patients use a GSD. We prospectively recruited participants ages 70–100, some who used GSDs and some who did not. Participants first answered questions from the Modified Vulnerable Elders Survey, and then completed a grip-strength test using a handgrip dynamometer. Finally, they were asked to complete a series of four 30-second balance tests on a WBB in random order: (1) eyes open, feet apart; (2) eyes open, feet together; (3) eyes closed, feet apart; and (4) eyes closed, feet together. The four-test series was repeated a second time in the same random order. The resulting data, represented as 25 features extracted from the questionnaires and the grip test, and data from the eight balance tests, were used to predict a subject’s GSD use using generalized functional linear models based on the Bernoulli distribution. 268 participants were consented; 62 were missing data elements and were removed from analysis; 109 were not GSD users and 97 were GSD users. The use of velocity and acceleration information from the WBB improved upon predictions based solely on grip strength, demographic, and survey variables. The WBB is a convenient, inexpensive, and easy-to-use device that can be used to recommend whether or not patients should be using a GSD.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Predicting use of a gait-stabilizing device using a Wii Balance Board
Creators: Sean M. Mullan - University of Iowa
Nicholas J. Evans - University of Iowa
Daniel K. Sewell - University of Iowa
Shelby L. Francis - University of Iowa
Linnea A. Polgreen - University of Iowa
Alberto M. Segre - University of Iowa
Philip M. Polgreen - University of Iowa
Contributors: Monika Błaszczyszyn (Editor)
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.18(10), e0292548
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292548
PMID: 37796884
PMCID: PMC10553233
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: UL1 TR002537
Language: English
Date published: 10/05/2023
Academic Unit: Electrical and Computer Engineering; Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Nursing; Pharmacy Practice and Science; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Injury Prevention Research Center; Computer Science; Public Policy Center (Archive); Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984474569402771

Metrics

7 Record Views