Author Spotlight: Developing Low-Tech Balance Assessment Methods for Broad-Spectrum Healthcare Applications

The scientific challenge is to create dependable and effective techniques for measuring balance without relying on a lot of technology. These tests should be applicable for use in field research, small clinics, and for screening patients in places where healthcare technology is limited. It is crucial to test enough healthy individuals across different age ranges, as well as enough patients with vestibular disorders and other balance issues.

Recruiting enough people can be challenging, but it’s necessary to determine if these tests can effectively screen individuals for various balance problems. Clinicians and investigators can use these tests in sophisticated healthcare environments and also in small clinics, nursing homes, community-based care facilities, mobile labs for population-based epidemiologic studies, and even at landing sites for post-flight astronauts. These data help with clinical decision-making.