A study on the reliability of measuring dynamic balance ability using a smartphone

Abstract

[Purpose] Evaluation of the reliability of smartphones as measuring equipment for dynamic balance ability was the goal of this study. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were 30 healthy young students in their 20s. The first and second rounds of measurements were taken at a one-day interval to confirm test-retest reliability. The subjects stood on the footboard of the Biodex Balance System. Balance was measured using a smart phone. [Results] Acceleration rates corresponding to subjects with open eyes were 2.7 ± 2.2 (first measurement) and 3.3 ± 1.5 (second measurement), and the interclass correlation coefficient ICC (1,1) was 0.8. Acceleration rates corresponding to subjects with closed eyes were 4.1 ± 2.4 (first measurement) and 4.5 ± 1.8 (second measurement), and the ICC (1,1) was 0.9. Gyroscope rates corresponding to subjects with open eyes were 1.7 ± 1.2 (first measurement) and 2.3 ± 1.5 (second measurement), and the ICC (1,1) was 0.7. Gyroscope rates corresponding to subjects with closed eyes were 6.7 ± 2.4 (first measurement) and 6.6 ± 2.3 (second measurement), and the ICC (1,1) was 0.6. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that smartphones have sufficient potential as measuring equipment for dynamic balance ability.

Keywords: Dynamic balance; Reliability; Smartphone.

Fig. 1.

The smartphone was attached to the skin between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae using velcro made of spandex and a plastic bag