title: Two miniature monitors for long-term ambulatory studies.
abstract: Two very low-power monitors are described. One typically limb-worn to record the level of physical activity of a person; the other, used with surface electrodes, to record three parameters of an EMG signal. The monitoring period can extend to days with a very accurate 'time of event' log. A novel method has been devised to double the resolution of the data gathered. A PC is used to store and process the collected data, which can be displayed or printed as one-, or four-channel, time-related histogram. The gathered data can also be analysed for trends and other statistical analysis. The hardware is relatively simple and made from low-cost components. Neither monitor uses a microprocessor for data gathering. The system is very easy to use requiring minimal operator training. Where 'no-frills' ambulatory monitoring is called for, the systems presented would compare very favourably with other commercially available monitors, either on cost, complexity of setting up, or on weight.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dicken
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software