Robotic evaluation of fall risk in older people: Results on trunk parameters in static and dynamic balance conditions by hunova robot

Introduction/Background Maintaining balance depends on the integration of sensory, proprioceptive and vestibular information to appropriately adjust movements responses to different postural conditions. hunova is a new robotic device developed and validated to perform functional evaluation and sensorimotor rehabilitation of lower limbs and trunk in static and dynamic environments. Aim of this study was to evaluate balance parameters in older subjects with different risk of fall. Material and method One hundred subjects aged ≥ 65 years (mean age 77.17 ± 6.49 SD years) were enrolled. According to the number of falls in the last 12 months, participants were allocated to low, medium or high-risk of fall. Balance was evaluated by hunova in static, unstable and perturbating conditions, in both standing/seated positions and with open/closed eyes. Parameters were: sway area (SA), path length (PL), range of oscillations in anterior-posterior (OAP) and mediolateral directions (OML) in both platform and trunk oscillations. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of Kruskal–Wallis test on medians and Spearman correlation test. Results Older fallers had higher trunk PL both in unstable [fallers, median (IQR): 32.5 (23.35) vs. non-faller 43.79 (29.21) (deg), P  Conclusion Hunova robot was able to detect physiological components involved in balance maintenance in older subjects with different fall risk. This evaluation could be crucial to prevent falls and to plan rehabilitation programs in older subjects at different risk of falls.