title: Accuracy of computer algorithms and the human eye in scoring actigraphy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal scoring method and parameter settings of actigraphy by comparison to simultaneous polysomnography (PSG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen studies of simultaneous PSG and actigraphy were completed in adolescents (mean age = 16.3 years) and analyzed. Scoring actigraphy by the human eye was compared to a commercial computerized algorithm using various parameters. The PSG was considered the reference standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a better correlation between actigraphy and PSG sleep start/end, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency when the rest period was determined by the human (mean r = 0.640) rather than auto-set by the software (r = 0.406). The best results came when the rest intervals were set based on the PSG (r = 0.694). Scoring the printed actogram by the human eye was superior to the auto analyses as well (r = 0.575). Higher correlations and lower biases were obtained from lower wake threshold settings (low and medium) and higher immobility times (10 and 15 min).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual scoring by simple inspection of the actigraphy tracing had a reasonable correlation with the gold standard PSG. Accurate determination of the rest interval is important in scoring actigraphy. Scoring actigraphy by the human eye is superior to this computer algorithm when auto-setting major rest periods. A low wake threshold and 10-15 min of immobility for sleep onset and sleep end yield the most accurate computerized results. Auto-setting major rest intervals should be avoided to set start/end of rest intervals; adjustments for artifacts and/or a sleep diary for comparison are helpful.
authors.affiliation: Divison of Pulmonology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boyne
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Sherry
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Lee J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D012984:Software; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology