The FLY Test: A Novel Method of Assessing Ankle Proprioceptive Performance

Abstract

Each year 30% of elderly individuals will experience a fall, which can be attributed to a decline in proprioceptive function due to age. While there are testing regiments that can be used to assess function, most fall into the category of psychophysics and rely on subjective user feedback which can be skewed by conscious motifs. We endeavoured to create the FLY test, a novel, dynamic, and quantitative means to assess proprioceptive performance. This system uses a gyroscope attached to a participant’s ankle and a custom python script that tasks the user to follow a FLY around a screen using fine ankle angular movements. Throughout the preliminary clinical trial, the FLY test showed decreased performance with increased age between the healthy adult and elderly groups. The test is also sensitive enough to detect minor performance differences between dominant and non-dominant feet. Participants that were recruited for retesting showed improved performance on the second test. Comparative to current standards in assessing proprioceptive performance, the FLY test had comparable or better test-retest reliability. Thus, the FLY test provides a novel, efficient, and effective means to further research in how dynamic proprioceptive awareness declines with age, and the efficacy of various therapeutics in restoring performance.