Objectives This study aims to investigate the feasibility
and acceptability of using an app-based technology to
train balance in the older population.

Design
Prospective feasibility study.

Setting
The study was conducted in a university setting
and participants’ homes.

Participants
Thirty-five volunteers ≥55 years old were
recruited.
Intervention

Participants were asked to follow a balance
exercise programme 7 days a week for 3 weeks using a
phone application. Seventeen participants trained for a
further 3 weeks.

Outcome measures

Postural sway measures during
quiet standing with feet at shoulder width apart and
feet together, one leg standing and tandem stance
were measured at baseline, and at the end of the 3
and 6 training weeks; the International Physical Activity
Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed participants’ physical
activity level before training; and app acceptability was
recorded using a user experience questionnaire.

Results

Participants on the 3 and 6-week programme
on average completed 20 (±5) and 38 (±11) days of
training, respectively, and all scored moderate to high on
the IPAQ. Between baseline and the 3-week assessments,
statistically significant improvements were observed
for anteroposterior sway, mediolateral sway, sway area
during tandem stance, for anteroposterior sway during
one leg standing and for sway area during feet together
stance. Improvements were observed at 6 week compared
with baseline but those between 3 and 6 weeks were
not significant. Based on the questionnaire, participants
reported that the app is an appropriate tool for balance
training (77%), they reported benefits from the training
(50%) and found it easy to fit it into daily routine (88%).

Conclusion
The high level of adherence and
improvements observed in the analysed measures
demonstrate the feasibility of using an app to train balance
in moderately to highly physically active older participants.
This demonstrates that given appropriate tools the older
population is positive towards and receptive of digital
interventions aimed to improve balance.