Smartphone-based evaluation of static balance and mobility in type 2 Diabetes

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2024 Jul 29;96(suppl 1):e20231244. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765202420231244. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

It was compared smartphone-based measurements of static balance control and mobility of elderly population with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The present cross-sectional study investigated 73 participants grouped in a control group (n = 36) and a DM2 group (n = 37). Smartphone's built in inertial sensors were used to record inertial changes of the participants during static balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go test - TUG) tasks. The inertial variations as a function of the time were analyzed and compared between groups. Both groups were matched in age, body mass index, male-female proportion, but DM2 group had significant larger fasting glucose than control group. Additionally, DM2 group had worst static balance control with open and closed eyes than the controls (p < 0.05) as well as they also had longer duration to execute the different events of the mobility test than the controls (p < 0.05). DM2 patients had decline of motor functions compared to controls and the use of bult-in sensors of smartphones was feasible to identify these functional impairments. The easy access of smartphones could be improving the screening of functional impairments in DM2 patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postural Balance* / physiology
  • Smartphone*