Smart scale could alert people to balance issues, prevents falls

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Could you or a loved one be at risk of falling? Falling down is the No. 1 cause of accidental death in people over the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But now, one scientist says she's found a way to change that. Her company invented a bathroom scale that can measure someone's risk of falling. And it all began as the researcher was shooting for the moon.

The Zibrio SmartScale began when Katharine Forth was a postdoctoral fellow at NASA. She created an algorithm to test the balance of astronauts.

"You have these lofty goals," Forth said. "You work toward them, and then, suddenly, you have this miraculous invention."

But her focus changed from outer space because of someone close to home. Her grandmother was 86 years old when she lost her balance and fell down the stairs.

"And it was just so painful and sad to watch such an athletic, capable person suddenly be reduced to using a walker, being in a wheelchair and being in hospital with a broken hip," Forth said.

Forth realized that by quantifying someone's balance, her algorithm could prevent falls like her grandmother's.

"It's sort of hidden data about yourself that is so important," Zibrio CXO Andrea Case-Rogers said.

All someone has to do is stand on the scale for one minute. Then, the Zibrio app will score their balance on a scale of one to 10.

Trauma surgeon Dr. John Holcomb says this could be a game changer to keep patients out of the emergency room.

"The No. 1 cause of admission into trauma centers across the United States and in every western country around the world are falls. Falls," he said.

For Forth, it's a chance to protect those you love most.

"I just wanted to help lots of people out there so that this didn't happen again, because falling is preventable," she said.

And the Zibrio SmartScale will be commercially available this summer. The creators hope that checking someone's fall risk will become a standard part of doctor visits.

REPORT: MB #4558

BACKGROUND: One in every five falls cause broken bones or head injury. They send three million older people to the emergency room, and kill over 27,000 people. Falls also lead to over 95 percent of hip fractures, and they are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Falls are also the leading cause of death among older adults. Falls can happen due to lower body weakness, balance problems, home hazards such as steps or rugs, or a lack of vitamin D. Falling can cause physical decline, social isolation and depression. (Source: & )

PREVENTION: The first thing to do to prevent a fall is talk to your doctor. Learn about medication and the health conditions that could lead to a fall. Do strength and balance exercises such as tai chi and remove boxes, newspapers, and phone cards and other hazards that may be in your path. Also, add nonslip mats and rugs and wear stable shoes. Hold on to the rails when going on the stairs and repair any loose boards in the floor. And finally add brighter lighting in your house in order to see where you are going. (Source:

NEW TECHNOLOGY: There are many ways to measure balance. There is the balance error scoring system, which uses a foam board to test six different positions. If you open your eyes, stumble and fall or lift your hands then you are given a point and then at the end the score is added together. For older adults, if you scored anywhere between a zero and a 23 then it puts you in the top 25 percent at least with the top 90 percent being from zero to 11. The Star Excursion Balance Test uses masking tape to test your balance on just one leg and pointing your other leg different directions. The highest scored positions were medial and posteromedial. There is a new study that has shown promise and does not require testing. The SmartScale looks at your balance by just having you step on it. You receive a score from one to ten based on your balance. One to three is poor and means a high risk of falling. Any score above seven equals good balance. The SmartScale also comes with an app called Balance Coach. It takes into account your last fall, weight, and guides you to new habits to help your improve your score. The app is available for Android and Apple and will be available in August. (Source: