Continuous monitoring of upper-limb activity in a free-living environment.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate a system for the objective measurement of upper-limb activity during a person's activities of daily living.


METHODS
Construct validation study.


METHODS
Home and work environment.


METHODS
Ten able-bodied participants and 10 stroke patients.


METHODS
A novel activity monitor was developed for monitoring upper-limb activity. The Strathclyde Upper-Limb Activity Monitor (SULAM) gave a signal proportional to the vertical displacement of the wrist with respect to the shoulder. Participants wore the SULAM on both upper limbs for 8 hours while performing their normal daily activities.


METHODS
SULAM-derived variables quantified the total upper-limb activity and the range in which movement of the upper limb occurred.


RESULTS
Data showed that the dominant arm of the able-bodied participants was 19% more active than the nondominant arm, whereas the unaffected arms of the group of stroke patients was used 3 to 6 times more than their affected arm. For all the variables, in both groups, there were significant differences between their upper limbs except for movement below midtrunk. There were also significant differences between groups for bimanual movement time ( P =.000) and composite movement time ( P =.000).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the quantification of vertical position of the wrist with respect to the shoulder might reflect upper-limb activity. By using the SULAM, it is possible to monitor upper-limb activity over the course of a person's normal day, with minimal interference. This study provides preliminary evidence of the SULAM as a useful tool for objectively evaluating interventions aimed at improving upper-limb activity and function.
Vega-González
Arturo
A
Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
Granat
Malcolm H
MH
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity