FEASIBILITY OF AN INTERACTIVE VIDEO-BASED TRAINING PROGRAM FOR LEARNING AND REVIEWING WALKING AID SKILLS.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the feasibility of a novel interactive video-based mobile application for teaching safe walking aid use and explore its preliminary impact on balance confidence, balance, mobility, and endurance.
Results Summary
The study found statistically significant improvements in balance confidence and balance, but no significant changes in mobility or endurance. Feasibility was attained on 3 out of 6 trial feasibility indicators, suggesting the trial may be feasible with modifications.
Population
Adult walking aid users (N=13; 7 males; mean age 55±15 years; mean duration of walking aid use: 2.7±4.0 years).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
2 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
novel interactive video-based mobile application to teach safe walking aid use | increase | balance confidence (ABC) | Adult walking aid users | small to medium effect | statistically significant improvements | #1 |
novel interactive video-based mobile application to teach safe walking aid use | increase | balance (BBS) | Adult walking aid users | small effect | statistically significant improvements | #2 |
novel interactive video-based mobile application to teach safe walking aid use | no change | mobility (TUG) | Adult walking aid users | no effect | did not experience significant changes | #3 |
novel interactive video-based mobile application to teach safe walking aid use | no change | endurance (2MWT) | Adult walking aid users | small effect | did not experience significant changes | #4 |
OBJECTIVES: 1) To assess the feasibility of a trial with a novel interactive video-based mobile application to teach safe walking aid use. 2) To explore the preliminary impact of the novel application on balance confidence, balance, mobility, and endurance. DESIGN: Single-arm, pre-post feasibility study. SETTING: University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Adult walking aid users (N=13). INTERVENTION: Participants used the novel application's fitting and gait training modules pertaining to their walking aid on two occasions (baseline, 2 weeks). OUTCOME MEASURES: Trial feasibility indicators were collected for process (recruitment rate, consent rate, and retention rate), resources (duration of each data collection session), management (participant processing time), and safety. At baseline and at 2 weeks, participants completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), and the 2-minute Walk Test (2MWT). RESULTS: Thirteen walking aid users (7 males; mean±SD age 55±15 years; mean±SD duration of walking aid use: 2.7±4.0 years) participated. Feasibility was attained on 3 out of the 6 trial feasibility indicators. Participants achieved statistically significant improvements in balance confidence (ABC; small to medium effect; p<0.001) and balance (BBS; small effect; p<0.001). Participants did not experience significant changes in mobility (TUG; no effect) or endurance (2MWT; small effect; p=0.25). CONCLUSION: Based on our criteria, a trial with the novel application may be feasible, with some modifications. Preliminary improvements in clinically relevant outcomes including balance confidence and balance were found. These findings will help inform a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of the application on clinical outcomes.