Grant: Summer Program in Aging

Lay Abstract: Background: Walking aids such as canes, crutches, and walkers are commonly used to facilitate independent mobility in older adults. Unfortunately, walking aid use may result in upper body pain or injury or increase the risk of falling. These risks may increase when walking aid users are not properly fit with their devices or trained on how to use their walking aid. To address this, we developed a novel low-cost mobile application (app) called Improving Canadians' Walking Aid Learning, Skills, & Knowledge© (ICanWALK©) that teaches safe fitting and walking aid use. Objective: 1) To evaluate the effect of the ICanWALK© app on walking aid users' balance confidence. 2) To assess usability of the app. Methods: In a pre-post design, adults who use a walking aid completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale at baseline. Participants then used the ICanWALK© fitting and gait training modules pertaining to their walking aid on two occasions (baseline, 2 weeks). After the 2-week app session, the ABC was repeated, and app usability was measured through the System Usability Scale (SUS). Results: Ten walking aid users (mean±SD age: 53±15; 6 males) were included. After using the ICanWALK© app twice participants had increased scores on the ABC (mean change±SD: +14.8±21.9, p=0.02). The mean±SD SUS score was 89.1±11.3, corresponding to the 90th-99th percentile on the SUS, signifying excellent usability. Implications: In this small sample size, after using the ICanWALK© app, participants showed increased balance confidence and found the app easy to use. This may suggest that the ICanWALK© walking aid skills training program may help Canadians safely use their walking aids and reduce the risk of walking aid-related injury. We aim to have additional users try the app to improve its content, functionality, and determine its effects on balance confidence, gait efficiency, and balance.