You are here

A Mobile Tai Chi Platform for Fall Prevention in Older Adults

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R42AG059491-01
Agency Tracking Number: R42AG059491
Amount: $225,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIA
Solicitation Number: PA17-303
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2017
Award Year: 2018
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2018-09-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2019-08-31
Small Business Information
165 PLEASANT ST APT 302
Cambridge, MA 02139-4654
United States
DUNS: 802270988
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 PAOLO BONATO
 (617) 952-6319
 pbonato@partners.org
Business Contact
 NEDA MOVAGHAR
Phone: (888) 589-6213
Email: neda.movaghar@biosensics.com
Research Institution
 BIOSENSICS, LLC
 
42 PLEASANT ST, SUITE 2
WATERTOWN, MA 02472-2382
United States

 Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Abstract

Project Summary
The overall goal of the proposed work is to develop a platform capable of delivering and monitoring adherenceproficiencyand safety of a home based simplified Tai Chi intervention for older adultsDuring Phase I of this Fast Track STTR project we will further develop a novel approach to assessing Tai
Chi performance adherenceproficiencyand safety based on wearable sensor dataMetrics of
adherence and safety will be determinedA multi item proficiency scoring metric will be developed using a
modified Delphi consensus processSubjects will be asked to perform movements in the laboratory from the
simplified Tai Chi intervention while wearing a network of nine axis sensorsProficiency will be assessed by
Tai Chi experts using the previously developed metricCollected data will be used to aid development of
algorithms to predict adherenceproficiencyand safetySensitivity analyses will be performed to identify the
minimum number of sensors necessary to achieve satisfactory resultsDuring Phase I we will also carry out
stakeholder focus groups to inform the development of a user friendly Tele Tai Chi platformDuring Phase II of this Fast Track STTR project we will develop a user friendlyTele Tai Chiplatform via a
user centered design approachTo accomplish this aimwe will develop a platform consisting of a wireless
body sensor networka tablet computerto collect dataand provide instructions and feedbackand a webbased dashboardfor remote access to program dataAn iterative design approach will be employed based
on the needs of the end user including practitionersTai Chi instructorsand researchersFocus groups will be
employed to ascertain this information over the course of the projectNext we will demonstrate feasibility of
tracking adherenceproficiency and safety over amonth training period in aconsecutive cohortsneachof older adultsFor this preliminary test of our platformsubjects will participate in aweek
home based simplified Tai Chi program delivered via pre programed tabletssupplemented with laboratory
visits at baselineandweeksSubjects will be asked to practice at home forminutes a minimum oftimes per weekInstumented laboratory visits willasimulate typical home practice sessions and provide
additonal data on usability and inform estimates of adherence and proficiency algorithmsand ballow for
longitudinal evaluation of function and postural controlwhich will be used to explore associations between
platform derived measures of adherence and proficiency and fall risk Project Narrative
Falls are the leading cause of injury related visits to emergency departments in the United States and the
primary cause of accidental deaths in persons over the age ofyearsClinical trials support that Tai Chi is
effective in the prevention of fallshoweverthis evidence has not translated into accessible training programs
for older adultsThe proposed project aims to develop a platform capable of delivering and monitoring
adherenceproficiencyand safety of an accessiblehome based Tai Chi program for older adults

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government