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A feasibility study of sensor-based in-home fall detection

GAL@Home

Machbarkeitsstudie für die Sensor-basierte Sturzerkennung im Feld

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Abstract

Background

A considerable proportion of falls occur within the domestic environment. Sensor-based identification of falls in seniors’ homes could help them to remain autonomous and self-sufficient in their own homes. The objective of this study was to evaluate fall detection systems within the home environment using optical and accelerometric sensor systems.

Methods

Portable triaxial accelerometers and optical sensors were used to detect falls in subjects with known problems of mobility and a recent fall history.

Results

Three subjects were investigated with the system. Overall nine falls occurred during the study period. Four falls were recorded by the accelerometric system and one fall by the optical system. Subjects with increased risk of falling as measured with mobility and fall risk assessments tend to fall more frequently.

Conclusion

The study shows that there is a considerably large difference between fall-detector evaluation studies in domestic environments and in laboratory trials.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Die Identifikation von Stürzen mithilfe sensorbasierter Technologien könnte in der Zukunft Menschen helfen, länger selbstständig und selbstbestimmt in ihrem eigenen häuslichen Umfeld zu leben. Ziel der Studie ist die Evaluation von technischen Sturzerkennungssystemen im häuslichen Umfeld durch eine kombinierte Erfassung mithilfe von optischen Sensoren und Beschleunigungssensoren.

Material und Methoden

In der häuslichen Umgebung von Probanden mit bekannten Mobilitätseinschränkungen und Sturzerfahrungen werden optische Sensorsysteme installiert. Zusätzlich wird ein tragbares triaxiales Akzelerometer verwendet.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden drei Probanden mit dem System untersucht. Im Untersuchungszeitraum traten insgesamt 9 Stürze auf. Vier der Stürze konnten mithilfe des Akzelerometers und ein Sturz mithilfe des optischen Sensorsystems aufgezeichnet werden. Tendenziell zeigte es sich, dass diejenigen Probanden, die in Sturzrisikoassessments eine erhöhte Sturzgefahr aufwiesen, auch vermehrt stürzten.

Schlussfolgerung

Mit dem aktuellen Stand der Studie wird deutlich, wie stark sich die Evaluation in einer Feldstudie im realen häuslichen Umfeld von Sturzstudien im Labor unterscheidet.

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Acknowledgment

The Lower Saxony research network “Design of Environments for Aging” acknowledges the support of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture through the “Niedersächschisches Vorab” grant program (grant ZN 2701).

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics, University of Braunschweig - Institute of Technology and Hannover Medical School, Mühlenpfordtstr. 23, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany

    M. Gietzelt & K.-H. Wolf

  2. Institute for Robotics and Process Control, University of Braunschweig - Institute of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany

    J. Spehr

  3. Geriatric Research Group, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Y. Ehmen, S. Wegel, F. Feldwieser, E. Steinhagen-Thiessen & M. Gövercin

  4. Department Market and Effects Research, Hearing Centre Oldenburg GmbH, Oldenburg, Germany

    M. Meis

  5. Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics, University of Braunschweig - Institute of Technology and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    M. Marschollek

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  1. M. Gietzelt
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  2. J. Spehr
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  3. Y. Ehmen
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  4. S. Wegel
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  6. M. Meis
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  7. M. Marschollek
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  8. K.-H. Wolf
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  9. E. Steinhagen-Thiessen
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  10. M. Gövercin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Gietzelt.

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Gietzelt, M., Spehr, J., Ehmen, Y. et al. GAL@Home. Z Gerontol Geriat 45, 716–721 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-012-0400-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-012-0400-9

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