JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Falls and risk of falling in older people pose a high risk for loosing independence. As risk of falling progresses over time, it is often not diagnosed adequately due to the intervals between contacts with healthcare professionals. Therefore, the risk of falling is often not properly detected until the first fall. An application software intended to screen fall risk of older adults and to give an insight into the progress and presence of fall risk factors could warn at an early stage. As smartphones become more common in the elderly population, an app-based fall risk assessment would be easily available and feasible.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to validate the app Lindera Mobility Analysis. The reference standards determines risk of falling and validated functional assessments of mobility.

Methods:

The accuracy of Lindera Mobility Analysis was evaluated in home and community-dwelling older adults of 65 years and older. The Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti Test and Timed Up & Go Test were used as reference standards. In addition to descriptive statistics, data correlation and comparison of mean difference of analogue and digital measures were tested. Spearman Rank Correlation and Bland-Altman plots were performed.

Results:

Data of 44 participants could be obtained (women n=26). There was a good and significant correlation between the Lindera Mobility Analysis and Berg Balance Scale (r=-.587, p=.000), Timed Up & Go Test (r=.474, p=.002) and Tinetti Test (r=-.464, p=.002). Bland-Altman plots showed only few data points outside the pre-defined limits of agreement when combining functional tests and results of Lindera Mobility Analysis.

Conclusions:

The digital Lindera Mobility Analysis has the potential to detect the risk of falling in older people. Further steps in establishing the validity of the Lindera Mobility Analysis should include its clinical applicability. Clinical Trial: DRKS00025352