Application and Reliability of Accelerometer-Based Arm Use Intensities in the Free-Living Environment for Manual Wheelchair Users and Able-Bodied Individuals

Sensors, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s21041236 · Published: February 10, 2021

Simple Explanation

This study uses wearable sensors (accelerometers) on the upper arms to measure how much time manual wheelchair users (MWC) and able-bodied individuals spend at different arm activity levels (stationary, low, medium, high) during their daily lives. The intensity levels were determined by analyzing arm movements during typical wheelchair activities in a lab setting. These levels were then applied to data collected from participants wearing the sensors in their normal, free-living environments. The study also looks at how age and pain levels affect arm usage patterns in MWC users, and how many days of sensor data are needed to get a reliable picture of someone's typical arm activity.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

40 MWC users and 40 able-bodied individuals for comparison; 6 MWC users and 15 able-bodied individuals for reliability

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Both MWC users and able-bodied individuals spend most of their day with their arms stationary or in low activity. MWC users spent significantly less time in the mid intensity level compared to able-bodied individuals.
2
Older MWC users tend to spend more time with their arms stationary compared to younger MWC users.
3
Increased shoulder pain in MWC users is associated with decreased time spent in high-intensity arm activities.

Research Summary

The study defined arm use intensity levels using data from accelerometers worn on the upper arms and applied these levels to data collected from manual wheelchair users (MWC) and able-bodied individuals in their daily lives. MWC users spent a larger portion of their day in stationary arm activity. Also increased age in MWC users was correlated with increased stationary time. Good reliabilities for all arm use levels requires five and eight days of data collection from MWC users and able-bodied individuals, respectively. Understanding arm use patterns and intensity levels can help researchers better understand the mechanisms behind shoulder pain and injuries that are more common in MWC users.

Practical Implications

Personalized Interventions

Findings can inform targeted interventions to promote varied arm use and prevent overuse injuries in MWC users.

Activity Monitoring

The defined intensity levels and reliability estimates provide a framework for using wearable sensors to monitor arm activity in both clinical and research settings.

Ergonomic Recommendations

The data can contribute to developing ergonomic guidelines and assistive technologies that support healthy arm use for MWC users.

Study Limitations

1
The analysis did not include angular kinematic data or information about arm loading.
2
Arm use intensity levels were based on a small cohort of MWC users and a limited set of lab activities.
3
Only one or two days of free-living data were collected for most participants, limiting the reliability of comparisons between MWC users and able-bodied individuals.

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