Self-Monitoring of Balance Performance can Reduce the Rate of Falls Among Older Adults

Abstract

Background: 29% of older adults fall annually, resulting in the leading cause of accidental death. Fall prevention programs typically include exercise training and self-monitoring of physical activity has a positive effect on the self-efficacy and self-regulation of exercise behaviors. We assessed if self-monitoring of fall risk, without an intervention, impacts fall rates.Methods: Fifty-three older adults had open access to a balance measuring platform which allowed them to self-monitor their postural stability and fall risk using a simple 1-min standing balance test. 12-month retrospective fall history was collected and a monthly/bimonthly fall log captured prospective falls. Participants had access to self-monitoring for up to 2.2 years. Fall history and fall incidence rate ratios and their confidence intervals were compared between the periods of time with and without access to self-monitoring.Results: A 54% reduction in the number of people who fell and a 74% reduction in the number of falls was observed when participants were able to self-monitor their postural stability and fall risk, after normalizing for participation length. Further, 42.9% of individuals identified as having high fall risk at baseline shifted to a lower risk category at a median 34 days and voluntarily measured themselves for a longer period of time.Discussion: We attribute this reduction in falls to changes in health behaviors achieved through empowerment from improved self-efficacy and self-regulation. Providing older adults with the ability to self-monitor their postural stability and intuit their risk of falling appears to have modified their health behaviors to successfully reduce fall rates.

Exploring mHealth design opportunities for blind and visually impaired older users

“…Previous studies examining the experiences of older individuals with mHealth technology suggest that heightened self-awareness of one’s body and health conditions amplifies the motivation for health management and self-care. For instance, the increased awareness among older individuals regarding their risk of falling, postural stability, and balance, as informed by digital health technologies, reduces the incidence of fall-related accidents ( 6 ). In addition, highlighting the benefits of mHealth technology is crucial for its sustained usage and adoption among older populations.…”