Older Adult Studies
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, clinicians, and researchers to translate science into practical tools that promote safe mobility, balance confidence, and fall prevention.
Dashboard
Feedback
Exploring the interactions between technology, patients, and clinicians.
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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
Collaborators: Dr. Gregory Hallenbeck, Broome County Office for Aging, & Indian Cultural Centre
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.
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. 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
Collaborators: Dr. Gregory Hallenbeck, Dr. Alessandro Segalini, Dr. Patima Silsupadol, Broome County Office for Aging
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
Collaborators: Dr. Christopher Bishop, Dr. Peter Wu, Dr. Jessica Underwood
