Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study
Falls pose a significant health risk for older people, necessitating accurate predictive tools for fall prevention. This study evaluated the sensitivity of a wearable waist-belt sensor, the Booguu Aspire system, in predicting prospective fall incidents among 37 community-dwelling older people in Hon...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/8/2516 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850180431458074624 |
|---|---|
| author | Ka-Ming Lai Kenneth N. K. Fong |
| author_facet | Ka-Ming Lai Kenneth N. K. Fong |
| author_sort | Ka-Ming Lai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Falls pose a significant health risk for older people, necessitating accurate predictive tools for fall prevention. This study evaluated the sensitivity of a wearable waist-belt sensor, the Booguu Aspire system, in predicting prospective fall incidents among 37 community-dwelling older people in Hong Kong. A prospective cohort design was employed, involving two analytical groups: the overall cohort and a subset with cognitive performance data available, measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Participants were categorized into moderate- or high-risk groups for falls using the sensor and further assessed with physical function tests, including the Single Leg Stand Test (SLST), 6 Meter Walk Test (6MWT), and Five Times Sit to Stand Test (5STS). Fall incidents were monitored for 12 months through quarterly follow-up phone calls. Statistical analyses showed no significant differences in physical performance between high- and moderate-risk groups and no significant correlations between sensor-based fall risk ratings and physical function test outcomes. The SLST, 6MWT, 5STS, and MoCA tests classified sensor-determined fall risk ratings with accuracies of 51.4%, 64.9%, 59.5%, and 50%. The sensor showed low sensitivity, with 13.51% true positives for fallers and a 20% sensitivity for high-risk individuals. ROC analysis yielded an Area Under the Curve of 0.688. Our findings indicate that the wearable waist-belt Sensor System may not be a sensitive tool in predicting prospective fall incidents. The algorithm for fall risk classification in the wearable sensor merits further exploration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f8071e9c12a04c6cb7cfa46b878b32c2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-f8071e9c12a04c6cb7cfa46b878b32c22025-08-20T02:18:10ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-04-01258251610.3390/s25082516Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort StudyKa-Ming Lai0Kenneth N. K. Fong1Hong Kong Red Cross, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaFalls pose a significant health risk for older people, necessitating accurate predictive tools for fall prevention. This study evaluated the sensitivity of a wearable waist-belt sensor, the Booguu Aspire system, in predicting prospective fall incidents among 37 community-dwelling older people in Hong Kong. A prospective cohort design was employed, involving two analytical groups: the overall cohort and a subset with cognitive performance data available, measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Participants were categorized into moderate- or high-risk groups for falls using the sensor and further assessed with physical function tests, including the Single Leg Stand Test (SLST), 6 Meter Walk Test (6MWT), and Five Times Sit to Stand Test (5STS). Fall incidents were monitored for 12 months through quarterly follow-up phone calls. Statistical analyses showed no significant differences in physical performance between high- and moderate-risk groups and no significant correlations between sensor-based fall risk ratings and physical function test outcomes. The SLST, 6MWT, 5STS, and MoCA tests classified sensor-determined fall risk ratings with accuracies of 51.4%, 64.9%, 59.5%, and 50%. The sensor showed low sensitivity, with 13.51% true positives for fallers and a 20% sensitivity for high-risk individuals. ROC analysis yielded an Area Under the Curve of 0.688. Our findings indicate that the wearable waist-belt Sensor System may not be a sensitive tool in predicting prospective fall incidents. The algorithm for fall risk classification in the wearable sensor merits further exploration.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/8/2516wearable sensorsfall risk predictionolder peoplegerontechnologyfall preventiondigital health solutions |
| spellingShingle | Ka-Ming Lai Kenneth N. K. Fong Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study Sensors wearable sensors fall risk prediction older people gerontechnology fall prevention digital health solutions |
| title | Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study |
| title_full | Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study |
| title_short | Efficacy of a Waist-Mounted Sensor in Predicting Prospective Falls Among Older People Residing in Community Dwellings: A Prospective Cohort Study |
| title_sort | efficacy of a waist mounted sensor in predicting prospective falls among older people residing in community dwellings a prospective cohort study |
| topic | wearable sensors fall risk prediction older people gerontechnology fall prevention digital health solutions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/8/2516 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kaminglai efficacyofawaistmountedsensorinpredictingprospectivefallsamongolderpeopleresidingincommunitydwellingsaprospectivecohortstudy AT kennethnkfong efficacyofawaistmountedsensorinpredictingprospectivefallsamongolderpeopleresidingincommunitydwellingsaprospectivecohortstudy |