Effects of long-term balance training with vibrotactile sensory augmentation among community-dwelling healthy older adults: a randomized preliminary study.
Tian Bao, Wendy J Carender, Catherine Kinnaird and 6 others
PMID 29347946WHAT IT FOUND
Eight weeks of in-home balance training improved balance in older adults, but adding vibrotactile feedback to a smartphone trainer produced significantly greater gains.
Both groups trained safely at home, though the small sample size means these results are preliminary.
Key findings
01Participants receiving vibrotactile sensory augmentation showed significantly greater improvements in SOT composite scores and Mini-BESTest scores compared to the control group.
02The experimental group improved significantly in Five Times Sit to Stand duration, while the control group showed no significant improvements on any clinical outcome measures.
03All twelve participants completed the eight-week in-home training protocol without pain, falls, or injuries, demonstrating the safety and feasibility of the smartphone-based system.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small (n=12), limiting the generalizability of the findings. Exercise performance was not monitored in real-time during home sessions, so correctness of technique could not be guaranteed. Vibrotactile feedback was not provided for all gait exercises, limiting conclusions about its effect on walking. The study included only healthy older adults with mild balance concerns, so results may not apply to those with significant balance deficits or neurological conditions.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the superior performance of the experimental group as proof that vibrotactile feedback is the sole cause of improvement, as both groups received the same physical exercises and remote therapist guidance. The small sample size and lack of blinding for participants regarding the device's potential efficacy mean these results are preliminary and require confirmation in larger trials.