scholarly journals Using augmented reality technology for balance training in the elderly. A feasibility pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Blomqvist ◽  
Stefen Seipel ◽  
Maria Engström
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Holographic Display ◽  
Impaired Balance ◽  
Further Development

Abstract Background: Impaired balance leading to falls is common in the elderly, and there is strong evidence that balance training reduces falls and increases independence. Reduced resources in health care will result in fewer people getting help with rehabilitation training. In this regard, the new technology augmented reality (AR) could be helpful. With AR, the elderly can receive help with instructions and get feedback on their progression in balance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of using AR-based visual-interactive tools in balance training of the elderly. Methods: Seven elderly participants (66-88 years old) with impaired balance trained under supervision of a physiotherapist twice a week for six weeks using AR-based visual-interactive guidance, which was facilitated through a Microsoft HoloLens holographic display. Afterwards, participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about the new technology and their experience of the training. Also, fear of falling and balance ability were measured before and after training. Results: Five participants experienced the new technology as positive in terms of increased motivation and feedback. Experiences were mixed regarding the physical and technical aspects of the HoloLens and the design of the HoloLens application. Participants also described issues that needed to be further improved, for example, the training program was difficult and monotonous. Further, the HoloLens hardware was felt to be heavy, the application's menu was difficult to control with different hand manoeuvres, and the calibration took a long time. Suggestions for improvements were described. Results of the balance tests and self-assessment instruments indicated no improvements in balance performance after AR training. Conclusions: The study showed that training with the new technology is, to some extent, feasible for the elderly, but needs further development. Also, the technology seemed to stimulate increased motivation, which is a prerequisite for adherence to training. However, the new technology and training requires further development and testing in a larger context.

scholarly journals Using augmented reality technology for balance training in the elderly. A feasibility pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Blomqvist ◽  
Stefen Seipel ◽  
Maria Engström
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Holographic Display ◽  
Further Development

Abstract BackgroundImpaired balance leading to falls is common in the elderly, and there is strong evidence that balance training reduces falls and increases independence. Reduced resources in health care will result in fewer people getting help with rehabilitation training. In this regard, the new technology augmented reality (AR) could be helpful. With AR, the elderly can receive help with instructions and get feedback on their progression in balance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of using AR-based visual-interactive tools in balance training of the elderly.MethodsSeven elderly participants (66-88 years old) with impaired balance trained under supervision of a physiotherapist twice a week for six weeks using AR-based visual-interactive guidance, which was facilitated through a Microsoft HoloLens holographic display. Afterwards, participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about the new technology and their experience of the training. Also, fear of falling and balance ability were measured before and after training. ResultsFive participants experienced the new technology as positive in terms of increased motivation and feedback. Experiences were mixed regarding the physical and technical aspects of the HoloLens and the design of the HoloLens application. Participants also described issues that needed to be further improved, for example, the training program was difficult and monotonous. Further, the HoloLens hardware was felt to be heavy, the application's menu was difficult to control with different hand manoeuvres, and the calibration took a long time. Suggestions for improvements were described. Results of the balance tests and self-assessment instruments indicated no improvements in balance performance after AR training.ConclusionsThe study showed that training with the new technology is, to some extent, feasible for the elderly, but needs further development. Also, the technology seemed to stimulate increased motivation, which is a prerequisite for adherence to training. However, the new technology and training requires further development and testing in a larger context.

scholarly journals Using augmented reality technology for balance training in the older adults: a feasibility pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Blomqvist ◽  
Stefan Seipel ◽  
Maria Engström
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Holographic Display ◽  
Impaired Balance ◽  
Further Development

Abstract Background Impaired balance leading to falls is common in the older adults, and there is strong evidence that balance training reduces falls and increases independence. Reduced resources in health care will result in fewer people getting help with rehabilitation training. In this regard, the new technology augmented reality (AR) could be helpful. With AR, the older adults can receive help with instructions and get feedback on their progression in balance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of using AR-based visual-interactive tools in balance training of the older adults. Methods Seven older adults (66–88 years old) with impaired balance trained under supervision of a physiotherapist twice a week for six weeks using AR-based visual-interactive guidance, which was facilitated through a Microsoft HoloLens holographic display. Afterwards, participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about the new technology and their experience of the training. Also, fear of falling and balance ability were measured before and after training. Results Five participants experienced the new technology as positive in terms of increased motivation and feedback. Experiences were mixed regarding the physical and technical aspects of the HoloLens and the design of the HoloLens application. Participants also described issues that needed to be further improved, for example, the training program was difficult and monotonous. Further, the HoloLens hardware was felt to be heavy, the application’s menu was difficult to control with different hand manoeuvres, and the calibration took a long time. Suggestions for improvements were described. Results of the balance tests and self-assessment instruments indicated no improvements in balance performance after AR training. Conclusions The study showed that training with the new technology is, to some extent, feasible for the older adults, but needs further development. Also, the technology seemed to stimulate increased motivation, which is a prerequisite for adherence to training. However, the new technology and training requires further development and testing in a larger context.

scholarly journals Using augmented reality technology for balance training in the elderly. A feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Blomqvist ◽  
Stefen Seipel ◽  
Maria Engström
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Holographic Display ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Microsoft Hololens ◽  
Further Development

Abstract BackgroundImpaired balance leading to falls is common in the elderly, and there is strong evidence that balance training reduces falls and increases independence. Reduced resources in health care will result in fewer people getting help with rehabilitation training. In this regard, the new technology augmented reality (AR) could be helpful. With AR the elderly can receive help with instructions and get feedback on their progression in balance training. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using AR-based visual-interactive tools in balance training of the elderly.MethodsSeven elderly participants (66-88 years old) with impaired balance trained under supervision of a physiotherapist twice a week for six weeks using AR-based visual-interactive guidance, which was facilitated through a Microsoft HoloLens holographic display. Afterwards, participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about the new technology and their experience of the training. Also, fear of falling, balance and physical ability were measured before and after training.ResultsMost participants experienced the new technology as positive in terms of increased motivation and feedback. Experiences were mixed regarding the physical and technical aspects of the HoloLens and the design of the HoloLens application. The majority of participants perceived that they were steadier after training; this was also shown in the balance tests. Also, most participants reduced their fear of falling after the training. Participants also described issues that needed to be further improved, for example, the training program was difficult and monotonous. Further, the HoloLens hardware was felt to be heavy, the application's menu was difficult to control with different hand maneuvers, and the calibration took a long time. Suggestions for improvements were described.ConclusionsThe study showed that training with the new technology is, to some extent, feasible for the elderly, but needs further development. Also, the technology seemed to stimulate increased motivation and adherence to training. However, the new technology and training requires further development and testing in a larger context.

scholarly journals EXPLORING GAIT, BALANCE PERFORMANCE AND FEAR OF FALLING AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL AREAS OF THAILAND

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-145
Author(s):  
Pummarak S ◽  
Samrongtong R ◽  
Ramesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Fall Risk Factors

Background: Previous evidence indicates that older people allocate more of their attentional resources toward their gait and that the attention-related changes that occur during aging increase the risk of falls. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Banna District and Ongkarak District, Nakornnayok Province, Thailand. One hundred elderly people participated in this study. Gait was assessed by a Time Up and Go Test (TUGT) while the One legged stance test (OLST) assessed balance performance. The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) measured fear of falling of the elderly people. A WHOQOL-BREF instrument assessed the quality of Life among elderly people. Results: The findings revealed that 58% of the participants were female, aged between 60-74 years (mean = 66.39, SD 3.65). Over a 12 month period, 57% of participants had experienced a fall once, 41% had experienced 2 falls while 2% had experienced 3 or more falls. One-third of the elderly people who participated in the study had a fear of falling. Almost all of the elderly participants (76%) had a moderate fall risk perception score. The mean score of total quality of life was moderate (80.43). Conclusion: Study concluded that the elderly people face a valid risk of falling based on prevalent risk factors that results in a fear of falling. An assessment of fall risk factors are important in establishing a fall prevention program for the elderly faced with fall risk factor from fear of falling and. Assessment fall risk factors are important to provide the suitable falls prevention program for the elderly.

scholarly journals Miedo a caer. El taijiquan como forma de terapia de exposición gradual en vivo

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Shane Kachur ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
Gordon Asmundson
Keyword(s):  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Martial Art ◽  
Exercise Regimen ◽  
Graded Exposure

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Falls in the elderly can cause injuries that lead to loss of independence. Loss of postural sway, balance, and slower reaction times are strong predictors of falling (Lajoie &amp; Gallagher, 2004). Traditional exercise programs focus on studying and treating these factors (Tideiksaar, 1997); however, fear of falling – another strong predictor of falls – has received relatively little attention in the treatment literature (Maki et al., 1991). There are indications of a direct link between fear of falling, and actual falls (Myers et al., 1996), and a relationship between fear-related avoidance of activities and falling (Delbaere et al., 2004). Taijiquan, an ancient Chinese martial art turned exercise regimen (Wolf et al., 2001), has been shown to be effective ameliorating fear of falling and traditional antecedents of falling (Tsang et al., 2004). Like graded exposure therapies, Taijiquan practitioners slowly and progressively achieve increasingly difficult postures that simulate potentially fearful situations in a calming environment. Relative to other exercise treatments, such as computerized balance training, education, and graded exercise, Taijiquan has produced significant reductions in fear of falling and in actual falls (McGibbon et al., 2005). Herein the available research on Taijiquan and falls is reviewed to advocate for Taijiquan as a form of graded exposure therapy to reduce fear of falling and falls in seniors. Implications and future research directions will be discussed.</span></span></span></p>

scholarly journals Promotion of active ageing through interactive artificial agents in a smart environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Menezes ◽  
Rui P. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Training System ◽  
Regular Physical Activity ◽  
List Type ◽  
Multi Agent System ◽  
Agent System ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Elderly Users

Abstract Societies in the most developed countries have witnessed a significant ageing of the population in recent decades, which increases the demand for healthcare services and caregivers. The development of technologies to help the elderly, so that they can remain active and independent for a longer time, helps to mitigate the sustainability problem posed in care services. This article follows this new trend, proposing a multi-agent system composed of a smart camera network, centralised planning agent, a virtual coach, and robotic exercise buddy, designed to promote regular physical activity habits among the elderly. The proposed system not only persuades the users to perform exercise routines, but also guides and accompanies them during exercises in order to provide effective training and engagement to the user. The different agents are combined in the system to exploit their complementary features in the quest for an effective and engaging training system. Three variants of the system, involving either a partial set of those agents or the full proposed system, were evaluated and compared through a pilot study conducted with 12 elderly users. The results demonstrate that all variants are able to guide the user in an exercise routine, but the most complete system that includes a robotic exercise buddy was the best scored by the participants. Article Highlights Proposal of a multi-agent system to help elderly adopting regular physical activity habits. A virtual coach and a robotic exercise buddy provide both guidance and companionship during the exercise. A pilot study conducted with 12 elderly users demonstrated an effective and engaging training system.

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