Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: Walking aids (WA) are commonly used to facilitate independent mobility in older adults. Inadequate fitting and training on the use of walking aids may increase the risk of pain, injury, and falls. To address this, we developed a mobile application (app) called Improving Canadians' Walking Aid Learning, Skills, & Knowledge© (ICanWALK©) that teaches 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 WA 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=0.06). The mean±SD SUS score was 89.1±11.3 in the 90th-99th percentile, 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. 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.