title: Measurement of daily physical activity using the SenseWear Armband: Compliance, comfort, adverse side effects and usability.
abstract: Little is known about the acceptability of wearing physical activity-monitoring devices. This study aimed to examine the compliance, comfort, incidence of adverse side effects, and usability when wearing the SenseWear Armband (SWA) for daily physical activity assessment. In a prospective study, 314 participants (252 people with COPD, 36 people with a dust-related respiratory disease and 26 healthy age-matched people) completed a purpose-designed questionnaire following a 7-day period of wearing the SWA. Compliance, comfort levels during the day and night, adverse side effects and ease of using the device were recorded. Non-compliance with wearing the SWA over 7 days was 8%. The main reasons for removing the device were adverse side effects and discomfort. The SWA comfort level during the day was rated by 11% of participants as uncomfortable/very uncomfortable, with higher levels of discomfort reported during the night (16%). Nearly half of the participants (46%) experienced at least one adverse skin irritation side effect from wearing the SWA including itchiness, skin irritation and rashes, and/or bruising. Compliance with wearing the SWA for measurement of daily physical activity was found to be good, despite reports of discomfort and a high incidence of adverse side effects.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia Physiotherapy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia renae.mcnamara@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Renae J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia Physiotherapy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ling Ling Y
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia Chronic Disease Community Rehabilitation Service, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Macquarie Hospital, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Sally L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wootton
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: L W Cindy
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia Physiotherapy Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Marita T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Zoe J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: McKeough
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alison
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003288:Contusions / Q000209:etiology*; D005076:Exanthema / Q000209:etiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D000072936:Fitness Trackers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
keywords: COPD; activity monitoring; obesity; patient acceptance of health care; physical activity; questionnaire