About the study
The ability to balance and stay upright is critical to undertaking basic everyday movements like walking, running, jumping and playing sport. Having good balance is also important for preventing falls and injuries.
The Biodex BioswayTM is an interactive, technology-based system with a number of games to work on balance. We think the games may be a fun and engaging way to provide therapy to improve children’s balance, but we really want to hear from physiotherapists, children, adolescents and parents about what THEY think. Hence, we are recruiting parents, children/youth and physiotherapists to tell us what you think about the Biodex BioswayTM games.
Who can take part?
AHPRA registered physiotherapists with at least 12 months experience working with children/adolescents
OR
Children/adolescents AND their parent/legal guardian. Children/adolescents must be;
- aged 10-15 years
- typically developing OR have mild difficulties/clumsiness with movements skills (e.g. balls skills, jumping, hopping)
- weigh at least 23kg
- able to follow 2-step verbal instructions (e.g. sit down and put your shoes on)
- able to assume the balance positions required in the games (we will check this at the visit)
Participants must be able to read and write English.
Children/adolescents with a disability, certain medical conditions, recent injuries or certain balance disturbances will not be eligible to take part.
To find out if you/your child are eligible, please contact us.
What’s involved?
Children/adolescents and their parent/legal guardian will be asked to attend a single 2-hour appointment at the University of South Australia in the city to try out the balance games and complete some questionnaires and a short interview.
Physiotherapists will attend a 2-hour workshop at the University of South Australia in the city where they will have the opportunity to observe/try the balance games and complete a short questionnaire.
Benefit
Children/adolescents and their parent/legal guardian will receive a single $50 payment/voucher
Physiotherapists will go into a draw to win a $100 voucher
Contact details
Email: unisa.researchvolunteers@unisa.edu.au
Phone: (08) 8302 1365
This project has been approved by the University of South Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee. (Ethics protocol 206184)
