Evaluation of Concurrent Validity between a Smartphone Self-Test Prototype and Clinical Instruments for Balance and Leg Strength.

The evolving use of sensors to objectively assess movements is a potentially valuable addition to clinical assessments. We have developed a new self-test application prototype, MyBalance, in the context of fall prevention aimed for use by older adults in order to independently assess balance and functional leg strength. The objective of this study was to investigate the new self-test application for concurrent validity between clinical instruments and variables collected with a smartphone. The prototype has two test procedures: static standing balance test in two positions, and leg strength test performed as a sit-to-stand test. Thirty-one older adults were assessed for balance and functional leg strength, in an outpatient physiotherapy setting, using seven different clinical assessments and three sensor-tests. The results show that clinical instruments and sensor measurements correlate to a higher degree for the smartphone leg strength test. For balance tests, only a few moderate correlations were seen in the Feet Together position and no significant correlations for the Semi Tandem Stance. This study served as a first step to develop a smartphone self-test application for older adults to assess functional balance at home. Further research is needed to test validity, reliability, and user-experience of this new self-test application.

Epidemiology of firearm injuries in a Scandinavian trauma center.

BACKGROUND: There is a concern that civilian gunshot injuries in Europe are increasing but there is a lack of contemporary studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current epidemiology and outcome of firearm injuries. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients (n = 235) treated for firearm injuries admitted to a Scandinavian trauma center between 2005 and 2016. Local and national trauma registries were used for data collection. RESULTS: Mean age was 31.3 years (SD ± 12.9; range 16-88 years); 93.6% males; mean ISS was 14.3 (SD ± 15.9); 31.9% (75/235) had ISS > 15. There was a significant increase in penetrating trauma (P < 0.001) and firearm injuries (P < 0.001) over the years. The most common anatomical location of firearm injury was the lower extremity, (n = 138/235; 38%), followed by the abdomen (n = 69;19%), upper extremity (n = 53;15%), chest (n = 50; 14%), and head and neck (n = 50; 14%). Ninety patients (38.3%) had more than one anatomic injury location. There were in total 360 firearm injuries and 168 major surgical procedures were performed. 53% (n = 125) of patients underwent at least one surgical procedure. The most common procedures were fracture surgery 42% (n = 70/168), followed by laparotomy 30%% (n = 51), chest tube 17% (n = 29), and thoracotomy 11% (n = 18). Forty-one patients (17%) had at least one major vascular injury (n = 54). The most common vascular injury was lower extremity vessel injuries, 26/54 (48%), followed by vessels in chest and abdomen. There was a significant increase in vascular injuries during the study period (P < 0.006). The 30-day mortality was 12.8% (n = 30); 24 patients died within 24 h mainly due to injuries to the chest and the head and neck region. CONCLUSIONS: Firearm injuries cause significant morbidity and mortality and are an important medical and public health problem. In a Scandinavian trauma center there has been an increase of firearm injuries in recent years. The lower extremities followed by the abdomen are the dominating injured regions and there has been an increase in associated vascular injuries.