Balance
This feature provides clinicians with a quantitative tool for assessing postural sway and balance in patients. Using advanced smartphone sensor technology, the app measures subtle movements during standardized balance tests, providing objective data to support clinical decision-making.
How Balance Measurement Works
The app utilizes your smartphone's built-in accelerometer and gyroscope sensors to detect and measure tiny movements while the patient maintains different balance positions. Here's how it works:
When held against the patient's stomach, at the navel level, the phone acts as a sensitive motion detector
The sensors measure acceleration changes in multiple dimensions:
Front-to-back sway (anterior-posterior)
Side-to-side sway (medial-lateral)
These movements are measured in mGal units (1 mGal = 1×10⁻⁵ m/s²), which capture very small changes in acceleration
Higher sway scores indicate more movement during the test, while lower scores suggest better balance control
Available Tests
mCTSIB (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration in Balance)
Duration: 30 seconds per condition
Condition 1: Eyes Open, Firm Surface
Condition 2: Eyes Closed, Firm Surface
Condition 3: Eyes Open, Foam Surface
Condition 4: Eyes Closed, Foam Surface
Modified BESS (Balance Error Scoring System)
Duration: 20 seconds per condition
Double Leg Stance
Single Leg Stance (Left and Right)
Tandem Stance (each stance can be performed on firm surface or foam pad)
Standard Balance Assessment
Duration: Customizable (default 30 seconds)
Eyes Open
Eyes Closed
Single Leg Stance
Tandem Stance
Conducting a Test
Patient Setup
Select the appropriate test from the menu
Position the patient in the required stance
Place the phone against their stomach at navel level
Ensure the phone remains flat against the body
Test Administration
Press "START TEST" when ready
A 3-second countdown will begin
The test will run for the predetermined duration:
mBESS tests: 20 seconds
Standard balance tests: customizable duration
The phone will vibrate at the start and end of each test and at every second
Results Review
After test completion, results show:
Total sway score
Front-to-back sway
Side-to-side sway
Test duration
Results can be saved to the patient's record
Historical data is viewable in graphs and tables
Interpreting Results
Sway Measurements
Total Sway: Overall movement during the test period
Front-to-back Sway: Anterior-posterior movement
Side-to-side Sway: Medial-lateral movement
Clinical Considerations
Compare single leg measurements for asymmetries
Track changes over time to monitor progress
Consider environmental factors that may affect performance
Use in conjunction with other clinical assessments
Best Practices
Consistency
Use the same phone position for all tests
Maintain consistent testing conditions
Follow standardized protocols for each test type
Quality Assurance
Ensure phone is properly secured against patient
Monitor for any phone movement during testing
Tests will automatically stop if phone is tilted away from stomach
Documentation
Record any pertinent observations
Note any modifications to standard protocol
Document environmental factors
Technical Notes
Keep phone charged above 20% for optimal sensor performance
Ensure testing surface is level
Maintain quiet testing environment
Regular app updates may provide new features and improvements
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