The research indicates that for older adults, using voice recorders helps in accurately documenting the situations and contexts in which they experience balance loss and may fall, bypassing the need for recollection later on.
At Virginia Tech, researchers are utilizing voice recorders worn on the wrist to gather real-time data that sheds light on what occurs when individuals lose their balance. This study, directed by Michael Madigan from the College of Engineering, builds upon both his extensive prior investigations and earlier research from the University of Michigan Medical School.
“Previously, researchers relied on participants to remember their actions at the time of losing balance, which can often be inaccurate,” explained Madigan. “With this innovative approach, participants document their experiences right after the incident, leading to much more precise and thorough accounts.”
The results were recently published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society and emphasize how the voice recorders captured the specific moments of balance loss for participants, who had an average age of approximately 72 years. The study’s findings indicate that voice recorders effectively document the conditions and context surrounding balance loss and possible falls among older adults, eliminating the need for later recollection.
Collaborators:
- Michael Madigan, professor in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech
- Neil Alexander, director of VA Ann Arbor Health Care System GRECC; University of Michigan: Ivan Duff Collegiate Professor of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine at the Department of Internal Medicine; Research Professor at the Institute of Gerontology
Insights from real-world scenarios
In this research, 30 participants wore voice recorders on their wrists over three weeks. In cases of balance disruption, they activated the devices to answer these important questions:
- When and where did the loss of balance happen?
- What were they doing at that moment?
- What actions did they take to regain balance – did they reach for a railing, take steps, or sit down?
- What do they believe caused the loss of balance?
- Did they fall?
This real-time, self-reported information was examined by Madigan and his team. Rather than waiting to discuss with researchers after an incident, the participants could contemplate what occurred in the moment.
“We aim to gain a deeper understanding of the situations that lead to balance loss,” Madigan stated. “This approach allows participants to avoid the challenge of recalling an event days or weeks later, particularly when memory can be uncertain.”
Experience of the participants
Maria Moll, a retired epidemiologist who took part in the study, found the research especially significant, particularly as someone in her 70s who stays active. After witnessing a friend’s fall, Moll grew more interested in contributing to research aimed at preventing balance loss.
“I’ve always had a keen interest in fitness and balance, especially as I age,” commented Moll. “This study heightened my awareness of my movements, particularly during challenging activities such as hiking.”
Prospects for data collection in real-world settings
Looking to the future, the team intends to broaden the research to incorporate larger populations and integrate data with laboratory measurements. Their goal is to identify those who are most vulnerable to balance loss and devise strategies to proactively mitigate those risks.
“Our aim is to equip clinicians with the means to intervene before falls happen,” Madigan noted. “This method can yield more dependable, detailed information that enhances our understanding of not just how balance is lost, but the reasons behind it.”
