Development of an In-Home Sensory Training Therapy to Mitigate Falls Risk Among the Elderly

Falls are a major cause of death and morbidity for older adults in the US each year, and injuries from falls leave many older adults with a greater risk of physical and cognitive decline due to inactivity and social isolation. At Senaptec, we have developed stroboscopic eyewear (“Strobes”) for sensory resistance training and rehabilitation that uses liquid crystal technology to intermittently occlude visual input to promote reweighting of dependencies on the different sensory modalities. Many independent laboratories and clinics have documented significant improvements in motor performance and sensorimotor coordination after even brief training regimens with our Strobes. Notably, our Strobes are particularly useful for improving balance and stability, simply by being used during basic tasks. In an ongoing pilot study of older adults with self-reported balance deficits, we have observed improvements in balance metrics after only 10 min/day of Strobe use for 2 weeks during standing activities of daily living. Our Strobes were initially designed for athletic performance training, and, given the potential benefit they could have for older adults particularly, we are now modifying their design to accommodate prescription lenses without losing functionality and incorporating a feature that will improve their function in low-light settings, such as in the home. While existing programs and devices for fall prevention may be effective, these options are often community-based, require transportation, or are otherwise unavailable in convenient settings where older adults live or receive care. Some exercise programs and devices may be applicable in the home, but those that are difficult, not engaging, or too strenuous for this population are unlikely to be adopted for initial or lasting use. Our Strobes, however, can be worn in the home and have shown potential to reduce fall risk simply by being worn during brief periods of time while the user is conducting routine activities. Now, to bring Strobes to the large population of older adults in the US, including those aging in place, we must alter their design so they are suitable for users who require prescription lenses and for low-light settings that may be encountered in the home, and we must conduct clinical efficacy studies that will enable FDA clearance. Thus, for this Fast-Track SBIR project, we will modify the Strobes to fit over a broad range of prescription eyewear and to include a “low-light” mode for improved visibility in a broader range of environmental conditions, and we will test the efficacy of Strobe training for older adults at risk of falling, as determined by Berg Balance Scales scores <45, with a randomized control trial. We anticipate this work will demonstrate the efficacy of balance training with Senaptec’s Strobe eyewear for improving balance and decreasing fall risk in older adults and enable us to achieve clearance from the FDA. Ultimately, we hope Strobes will be a highly accessible and adoptable solution for individuals wanting to reduce their risk of falling and maintain their health and independence as they age.