Bioengineering, 2022 · DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9120763 · Published: December 3, 2022
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) patients often have issues with their autonomic nervous system, which affects how their cardiovascular system adapts during upper limb activities in rehabilitation. Monitoring heart rate (HR) using wearable technology could help measure this adaptation level. This study checks if the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 (XMB5), a low-cost wristband, can accurately monitor HR in cervical SCI patients during upper limb training. The HR measurements from the XMB5 were compared to those from a professional medical device in both static and dynamic conditions. The study found a strong correlation between the XMB5 and the professional device in measuring HR in healthy people. The XMB5 was then used during experimental sessions, revealing that healthy individuals had a significantly higher HR oscillation range than SCI patients.
Low-cost wearable sensors like XMB5 can be used to monitor HR during rehabilitation, allowing for better-tailored exercise programs.
The feasibility of XMB5 in HR monitoring opens doors for its incorporation in VR-based therapies for SCI patients, potentially optimizing training intensity and duration.
Real-time HR monitoring helps ensure patients, especially those with acute conditions, do not exceed their maximum HR during exercise, reducing risks of adverse cardiac events.