Older Adult Studies
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Older Adult Studies

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Taking steps toward healthy aging

As we age, movement becomes ever more important. The ability to walk, balance, and move safely shapes not only physical health but also independence, confidence, and overall quality of life. Mobility determines how older adults engage with their communities and preserve autonomy.

Our laboratory is dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults through innovative, technology-driven research.

We partner with community organizations (Broome County Office for Aging, Indian Cultural Centre, Center for Civic Engagement), clinicians, and researchers to translate science into practical tools that promote safe mobility, balance confidence, and fall prevention.

Moving Forward:

Enhancing Lifelong Mobility and Independence

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Fall Risk

Study

Determining a holistic approach in assessing fall-risk.

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Balance

Intervention

Investigating home-based intervention effects on balance.

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Dashboard

Feedback

Exploring the interactions between technology, patients, and clinicians.

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Parkinson's

Disease

Examining a smartphone-based evaluation of motor/cognitive function.

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Longitudinal Fall Risk Evaluation

This is a community-based project involving numerous senior centers and community sites across Broome County. Adults over the age of 55 are assessed yearly regarding their performance on balance, clinical, physiological, and walking tasks that are associated with an increased risk of falling. We are creating prediction models for the risk of a future fall occurring to increase awareness and provide guidance for future intervention.

Collaborators: Dr. Gregory Hallenbeck, Broome County Office for Aging, & Indian Cultural Centre
A physical therapist assists an older man in a denim shirt wearing a back brace attached to a balance device on a table. The setting is clinical, with motivational posters on the wall.

Balance Intervention

This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of a home-based balance program in improving gait and standing balance performance in adults. Interventions are delivered via the participants’ personal smartphones.
  • Determine the feasibility (compliance and time to complete) of a smartphone application to assess psychosocial parameters, balance, gait, and cognitive performance in older adults.
  • Determine the utility of a smartphone application to identify longitudinal changes in balance, and predict the risk of falls in older adults.
  • Assess if a home-based smartphone single-task motor training improves balance performance under single and dual task conditions among older adults.
Collaborators: Dr. Patima Silsupadol, Dr. Suzanne O’Brien, Broome County Office for Aging
A woman stands with eyes closed on a balance platform. Two physical therapists focus on her balance.

Dissemination Dashboard Feedback

Through developing our website, our aim is to effectively communicate and inform mobility performance with visualizations. User experience is assessed qualitatively with systematic interviews conducted with older adults and clinicians. Continual changes are made based on feedback from community users, with visualizations, interactive elements, and updated metrics being added.

Collaborators: Dr. Gregory Hallenbeck, Dr. Alessandro Segalini, Dr. Patima Silsupadol, Broome County Office for Aging
Three older adults sit at a table with laptops, engaged and attentive. The setting is relaxed, suggesting a workshop or class environment.

Longitudinal Changes in Parkinson's Disease

This project is testing the longitudinal changes over the course of 12 months in motor (gait) and non-motor (sleep, anxiety, depression) functionality in stage 2-3 of Parkinson’s Disease. We aim to Determine the validity and reliability of a smartphone-based evaluation of balance and cognitive function in participants with Parkinson's

Collaborators: Dr. Christopher Bishop, Dr. Peter Wu, Dr. Jessica Underwood
Man in a green polo with a logo, smiling and engaging in a conversation with an elderly woman wearing green. Warm, friendly interaction.