A standardized review of smartphone applications to promote balance for older adults

Abstract

Background: Balance is one of the risk factors for falls in older adults. The use of smartphone applications (apps) related to health (mHealth) is increasing and, while there is potential for apps to be used as a self-managed balance intervention, many healthcare providers are concerned about the content and credibility of mHealth apps overall.

Purpose: This study evaluates the quality of balance promoting apps and identifies strengths and areas of concern to assist healthcare providers in recommending these resources.

Materials and methods: Balance apps for the general public, offered on the iPhone Operating System (iOS) and Android platforms, were evaluated using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).

Results: Five iOS apps met the inclusion criteria. The mean scores for each of the domains in MARS were: Engagement (3.32), Information (3.7), Functionality (3.8), and Esthetics (3.8). Overall, one app (UStabilize) received a rating of 4.43 in MARS five-point scale, which was considered “good”. Other apps in the review demonstrated acceptable quality.

Conclusions: The reviewed balance apps targeted to improve or maintain physical balance were of acceptable quality. Apps address many current issues older adults have to accessing rehabilitation services and, as such, may be particularly useful for this group. Future research should focus on assessing and comparing app efficacy. Development of balance apps for the Android platform is also necessary.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Given the availability and accessibility of various mHealth apps and the increasing mobile device usage among older adults, mobile apps are a promising avenue for delivering rehabilitation interventions, such as balance training, to older adults.

• Smartphone apps exist for balance training but overall confidence in health apps within the healthcare community is low and rigorous evaluation is required.

• A range of apps exist that demonstrate acceptable to good quality and stakeholders should work towards having these apps listed in credible mHealth clearinghouses.

Keywords:

• mHealth
• balance
• app
• applications
• smartphone
• rehabilitation
• older adult

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This project was financially supported by the Special Interest Group in Aging (SIGA), Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Canada.