New methods for diagnosis and quantification of medical risk factors causing fall accidents among elderly

Purpose and goal

The project has achieved its objectives of creating new mathematical methods that can analyze the more complex characteristics of the human vestibular system, and to create an analysis module that can interact with a commercially available measurement device. The new algorithms can describe if individual canals correctly can detect the head movements within different velocity ranges, and if not, to what extent the head velocity is under- or overrated. The algorithms can also describe with what precision compensation actions are made to address a function loss.

Expected results and effects

The project produced already during implementation its first research paper. Moreover, the project revealed that present commercial devices got so extensive issues, both from methodological and technical viewpoints, that they are poorly suitable for clinical use. An important project result is therefore that we found a new recording technology that solves most detected problems. By supervision from LU Innovation, Lund University, a process has been initiated to evaluate the opportunities to patent a new recording device based on this new technology and our new analysis module.

Planned approach and implementation

In the project, data from about 500 patients, 10 younger and 27 older healthy controls has been collected. Data from specific patient categories has thereafter been studied in detail and new mathematical analysis algorithms and methods for diagnoses been designed, that better than conventionally used method can diagnose also complex lesions involving the human vestibular system. The new analysis module can import and analyze recordings made with the Interacoustics equipment, i.e., a device sold by one of the largest commercially active company within this medical field.