title: An accelerometry-based system for the assessment of balance and postural sway.
abstract: The aim of this investigation was to develop an inexpensive, efficient system for the clinical assessment of static and dynamic balance and postural sway using accelerometry-based measurements. Subjects consisted of 10 young (range 18-32 years) and 10 older (range 69-86 years) individuals screened for polypharmacy and history of cardiovascular, neurological or orthopedic health conditions. A lightweight uniaxial accelerometer and general-purpose microcomputer were used to obtain measurements of postural sway. Customized software was written to acquire the data and provide a real-time display consisting of amplitude and frequency characteristics of the sway profile. Intraclass reliability coefficients greater than R = 0.75 were obtained in both eyes-open and challenging-standing balance tasks. Preliminary results demonstrate that the instrumentation can be used to discriminate among balance tasks and to differentiate healthy older adults from those with a tendency toward frequent falls. Moreover, the technique described yields a simple-to-administer, inexpensive procedure that can be conducted in the home or another natural environment. Accelerometry also allows for balance training and re-learning, using tasks that might ordinarily pose a balance challenge for the older or frail adult.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kamen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patten
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003199:Computer Systems; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010827:Physiology / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*