Development and Validity of a Serious Game (VirtualTer) for Postural Balance Rehabilitation in Older Adults

Background Physiological changes resulting from aging can impair postural balance. Exergames have been used to treat balance disorders, enabling sensory-motor training due to their content, and with targeted goals and purposes beyond entertainment. Aim The aim of this investigation was to describe the development of a serious game, VirtualTer, and to test content validity. Methods A Brazilian group from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte developed a serious game called VirtualTer for postural balance rehabilitation in older adults. In game navigation, the avatar needed to save the environment from catching harmful energy that destroys nature. The avatar performs stationary walking, lateral reaching, and climbing up and down steps to capture the energies. Content validity was determined using content matter experts by the Delphi method. Eleven content matter experts played the game and expressed their opinions using the assessment instruments: VirtualTer Dimensions (VD) and System Usability Scale (SUS). Results VirtualTer was designed with regard to variability in practice, since the game was constructed under three levels and offers continuous and terminal feedback. The participants needed to achieve at least 70% of the total score to advance to the next phase. The limits of stability for lateral reach test were right 23.2 ± 4.77 cm and left 22.9 ± 4.86 cm, which was applied in the game. The content validity index of the VD was 0.8, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.924. The content matter experts reported the game as having a 67.73 satisfaction with the SUS. Conclusion This game has good usability, low-cost investment, and supports access to innovative and valid technology for rehabilitation in countries with little investment in technology for health.

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Effect of Age on the Touchscreen Manipulation Ability of Community-Dwelling Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042094 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2094

Author(s):

Michal Elboim-Gabyzon ◽

Patrice L. Weiss ◽

Alexandra Danial-Saad

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Low Cost ◽

Age Groups ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Usability Assessment ◽

System Usability Scale ◽

Middle Aged Adults

Assessment of touchscreen manipulation skills is essential for determining the abilities of older individuals and the extent to which they may benefit from this technology as a means to enhance participation, self-esteem, and quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the touchscreen manipulation ability between community-dwelling older adults and middle-aged adults using a newly developed Touchscreen Assessment Tool (TATOO) and to determine the usability of this instrument. Convenience samples of two age groups were considered, one including 28 independent community-living older adults aged 81.9 ± 4.2 years with intact or corrected vision and with the abilities to walk independently with or without a walking aid and to understand and follow simple commands, and the other including 25 healthy middle-age adults aged 53.4 ± 5.9 years. The usability assessment was conducted during a single session using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Older adults demonstrated poorer touchscreen skills compared to middle-aged adults. Previous experience in manipulating a smartphone by the older adults did not affect their performance. The SUS results indicated good usability of the TATOO by both age groups. The TATOO shows promise as a user-friendly tool for assessing the specific skills needed to operate touchscreens. The outcomes of this study support the suitability of touchscreen devices and applications as well as the need for adapted accessibility for older adults. Researchers and clinicians will benefit from the availability of a rapid, low-cost, and objective tool to assess the skills required for touchscreen use.

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Usability of a tablet computer designed for older adults: a qualitative approach based on an intra-hospital living-lab for healthcare (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25186 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Guillaume Sacco ◽

Pauline Carliez ◽

Frédéric Noublanche ◽

Romain Simon ◽

Anne Renaudin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Geriatric Patients ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Satisfaction Score ◽

Tablet Computer ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

System Usability Scale ◽

Perceived Usability

BACKGROUND Usability is the keystone in the evolution of tablet technology in healthcare. The Ardoiz® tablet has been designed with a simplified interface for older adults. OBJECTIVE To assess the perceived usability and satisfaction of the Ardoiz® tablet. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods with cross-sectional study using System Usability Scale (SUS), satisfaction score and workshops, including geriatric patients, healthcare professional and caregivers. RESULTS Between September 25, 2019 and March 11, 2020, 58 participants were included in a cross-sectional study (including 38 patients, mean ±SD 85±6 years, 66% women), 26 in workshops (including 5 patients, mean ±SD 86.4±2.9, 40% women). The SUS was 74±12/100, the satisfaction score was 2.8±0.9/4, with 59% of satisfied participants with the use of Ardoiz® pads. The intent to acquire remained low with 18% (n=6) of participants who would be interested in acquiring the tablet. This tablet computer seemed to be difficult to use by geriatric patients and healthcare professionals, mainly because of its complex homepage. Nevertheless, former caregivers and healthcare professionals thought that the tablet could be of great interest to hospitals for leisure and medical use. The main feedback in order to improve the tablet is to simplify the home page with fewer and more static icons (without switching). CONCLUSIONS Notwithstanding the usability of the tablet, the intent to acquire of Ardoiz® tablet remained low. The interface should be simplified for older adults in order to improve usability and adherence. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04091152

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Subjective Evaluation of Balance by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory Does Not Predict Fall Risk in Older Adults Visiting Otolaryngology Clinics

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/0003489420987972 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000348942098797

Author(s):

Iku Abe-Fujisawa ◽

Yukihide Maeda ◽

Soshi Takao ◽

Shin Kariya ◽

Kazunori Nishizaki

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Postural Balance ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Spontaneous Nystagmus ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Published Data ◽

Objective Data ◽

Subjective Symptoms ◽

Characteristic Analysis ◽

Dizziness Handicap Inventory

Objectives: Subjective symptoms of dizziness in older adults are affected not only by objective data such as postural balance, but also by complex psychological factors. Published data analyzing how simultaneous evaluations of both objective and subjective assessments of balance can predict fall risk remain lacking. This study examined how fall risk can be predicted based on both objective data for balance and hearing and subjective symptoms of dizziness among older adults visiting otolaryngology clinics. Methods: Medical charts of 76 patients ≥65 years old with dizziness/vertigo who visited the otolaryngology clinic were reviewed. Objective data were evaluated by postural balance (posturographic data with eyes open and closed, and one-leg standing test), spontaneous nystagmus, and mean hearing levels. Subjective handicap associated with dizziness/vertigo was assessed using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Subjective mental status of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Information on history (cardiovascular diseases) and fall accidents within the preceding year was collected using an in-house interview sheet. Results: Objective data on postural balance did not correlate with subjective symptoms on DHI or HADS ( P > .05, Pearson’s correlation coefficient). Adjusted logistic regression modeling with the outcome of incident falls revealed that poor postural balance significantly predicted fall risk ( P < .05; 4.9 [1.4-16.8] per 10-cm2 increment). Nystagmus tended to be associated with fall risk. In contrast, DHI score did not predict fall risk ( P = .43; 1.0 [0.9-1.03]). Receiver operating characteristic analysis proposed a cut-off for postural sway with eyes closed >6.1 cm2 as optimal to predict falls in patients with nystagmus (AUC, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.997). Conclusion: Poor postural balance is associated with increased fall risk after adjusting for subjective symptoms in older adults at otolaryngology clinics. Conversely, the self-perceived dizziness handicap of DHI score is an insufficient tool to evaluate their fall risk.

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Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the 11-Item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in Iranian Older Adults

Evaluation & the Health Professions ◽

10.1177/01632787211015713 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016327872110157

Author(s):

Reza Hosseinabadi ◽

Mahshid Foroughan ◽

Gholamreza Ghaedamini Harouni ◽

Mohammad-Sajjad Lotfi ◽

Yadollah Pournia

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Content Validity ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Persian Version ◽

Loneliness Scale ◽

Two Factors ◽

Back Translation ◽

The Face

Loneliness is usually a chronic condition which may lead to physical and psychological undesirable consequences, and requires measurement and intervention. This study was conducted with the aim of preparing a Persian version of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and evaluating its psychometric properties among the Iranian older adults. After applying the translation-back translation method, the prepared script was subjected to the face and content validity evaluations and a Persian version of the scale was prepared. Factor analysis, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest methods were used to validate the scale. The Persian version of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale showed acceptable content validity. The negative and significant correlations between the loneliness scores and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale indicated that the questionnaire had acceptable concurrent validity. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed two factors for the scale. Also, the results of the intra-class correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient demonstrated that the scale had acceptable reliability. The Persian version of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale is an appropriate tool for measuring loneliness in the Iranian older adults.

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Impact of a low-cost urban green space intervention on wellbeing behaviours in older adults: A natural experimental study

Wellbeing, Space and Society ◽

10.1016/j.wss.2021.100029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 100029 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jack S. Benton ◽

Sarah Cotterill ◽

Jamie Anderson ◽

Vanessa G. Macintyre ◽

Matthew Gittins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Experimental Study ◽

Green Space ◽

Low Cost ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Urban Green ◽

Natural Experimental Study

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Assessing Housing Accessibility for Older Adults in Japan: A Content Validity Study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.357 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 108-108

Author(s):

Rumiko Tsuchiya-Ito ◽

Björn Slaug ◽

Tomonori Sano ◽

Miki Tajima ◽

Sakiko Itoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Content Validity ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Building Design ◽

Validity Study ◽

Housing Enabler ◽

Item List ◽

Existing Housing ◽

Rigorous Procedure

Abstract Scientifically validated tools to assess housing accessibility for older adults in Japan have been lacking. To address this, a rigorous procedure of adapting an existing housing assessment tool—the Housing Enabler, developed in Sweden—for valid use in Japan was conducted. The original tool was translated into the Japanese language, using established translation procedures. In the process, researchers checked the appropriateness of technical terms and adjusted specifications to be in accordance with Japanese standards. An expert panel approach was used to validate the content of the Japanese Housing Enabler. Thirteen certified occupational therapists, architects and care-managers (average experience=14.5 years) participated as experts in the content validity study. They rated each item with regard to relevance for assessing housing accessibility in Japan, on a scale from 1(=Not relevant) to 4(= Highly relevant). They suggested adjustments and additions that they found to be relevant to capture particularities of Japanese housing and building design. After individual ratings, the experts gathered for consensus discussions on suggested revisions of the item list. As a result, the number of items was substantially increased (from 161 to 283). A content validity index (CVI) was calculated for each item (i.e., the proportion of experts rating the relevance as at least 3). Using a recommended threshold of CVI ≥0.78, more than 90% of the items were considered relevant, thus supporting the content validity. However, the large amount of items might jeopardize the feasibility of the instrument. Further studies are needed to evaluate feasibility, criterion-related validity and aspects of reliability.

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Urdu Translation and Validation of Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

10.53350/pjmhs2115123505 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 3505-3508

Author(s):

Noor Ul Ain Fatima ◽

Qurat-Ul- Ain ◽

Fareeha Kausar ◽

Mian Ali Raza ◽

Misbah Waris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Content Validity ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Test Reliability ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

A Value ◽

Abc Scale ◽

Translation And Validation

Objective: To translate and validate the ABC-Scale in Urdu language to predict risk of fall in older population. Study design: Cross-cultural Translation and validation Place and Duration: Study was conducted in older adult community of Sialkot from March 2020 to December 2020. Methodology: Translation of ABC in Urdu was conducted by using Beaton et al guidelines. Two bilingual translators translated the original version into Urdu language step wise, correction process was followed. Then two backward translations were done by language expert. After all this process, the translated version was reviewed by the professionals and the final version was applied on 15 individuals. Its reliability and validity was tested on 60 older adults. Results: For test re test reliability, intra class correlation coefficient ICC was measured with a value of 0.984 Which shows good test re-test reliability. The internal consistency and reliability of ABC was calculated by Cronbach’s alpha for total score with a value of 0.985. Content validity was good with values of CVI ranging from 0.767 to 0.955. To test the discriminative validity, independent t test was used to show the difference between the healthy and unhealthy adults. Factor analysis of UABC showed total variance 81.277 and cumulative variance was also 81.277. To calculate construct validity of U-ABC Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used and measured as 0.558. Conclusion: It was concluded that Urdu version of UABC is a valid assessment tool for older adults with fear of fall. It has good content validity, construct validity and reliability. Keywords: activities specific balance scale, validation, Urdu translation, reliability, tool translation

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