title: Activity monitor accuracy in persons using canes.
abstract: The StepWatch activity monitor has not been validated on multiple indoor and outdoor surfaces in a population using ambulation aids. The aims of this technical report are to report on strategies to configure the StepWatch activity monitor on subjects using a cane and to report the accuracy of both leg-mounted and cane-mounted StepWatch devices on people ambulating over different surfaces while using a cane. Sixteen subjects aged 67 to 85 yr (mean 75.6) who regularly use a cane for ambulation participated. StepWatch calibration was performed by adjusting sensitivity and cadence. Following calibration optimization, accuracy was tested on both the leg-mounted and cane-mounted devices on different surfaces, including linoleum, sidewalk, grass, ramp, and stairs. The leg-mounted device had an accuracy of 93.4% across all surfaces, while the cane-mounted device had an aggregate accuracy of 84.7% across all surfaces. Accuracy of the StepWatch on the stairs was significantly less accurate (p < 0.001) when comparing surfaces using repeated measures analysis of variance. When monitoring community mobility, placement of a StepWatch on a person and his/her ambulation aid can accurately document both activity and device use.
authors: School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA. wendland_dm@mercer.edu
authors: Deborah Michael
authors: DM
authors: Wendland
authors: Stephen H
authors: SH
authors: Sprigle
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002183:Canes; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data