Feasibility of accelerometry in a self-directed upper limb activity program of a subacute setting with stroke survivors

Tamara Tse; Yvonne Y. K. Mak-Yuen; Wesley Young; Susan Darzins

doi:10.1071/IB24008

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Feasibility of accelerometry in a self-directed upper limb activity program of a subacute setting with stroke survivors

Tamara Tse

^A ^B ^* , Yvonne Y. K. Mak-Yuen ^A ^B ^C , Wesley Young ^D and Susan Darzins

^D

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic 3083, Australia.

^B Occupational Therapy, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Pty Ltd, Fitzroy, Vic 3065, Australia.

^C Neurorehabilitation and Recovery, The Florey – Austin Campus, Heidelberg, Vic 3084, Australia.

^D Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australia Catholic University, Fitzroy, Vic 3065, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: T.Tse@latrobe.edu.au

Handling Editor: Suzanne Kuys

Brain Impairment 25, IB24008 https://doi.org/10.1071/IB24008

Submitted: 29 January 2024 Accepted: 21 October 2024 Published: 11 November 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Background

Wearable devices, such as accelerometers, offer novel approaches to measuring post-stroke upper limb activity. Limited studies have explored feasibility of accelerometry. Guided by the Bowen Feasibility Framework, this feasibility study aimed to examine the practicality, acceptability, and limited efficacy of accelerometry in a self-directed upper limb program with stroke survivors using a pre-post study of sequentially eligible inpatients.

Method

Key metrics were: practicality (60% of participants had 10 hours of wear per day for 3 or more days), acceptability (adherence to recommended wear-time), and limited efficacy (correlation between Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and upper limb use from accelerometry data).

Results

Twelve stroke survivors were recruited over 7 months, mean age 73 years (range 39–94 years). Eight participants (67%) met the practicality and acceptability criteria. A moderate positive correlation existed between WMFT and upper limb use at admission (r_s = 0.33, P = 0.42) and at discharge (r_s = 0.42, P = 0.34).

Conclusion

Wearable devices were feasible and acceptable for most stroke survivors, however, one-third found the devices uncomfortable, and this should be factored into sample size calculations of future studies.

Keywords: accelerometry, activity trackers, arm use, physical activity, rehabilitation, wearable devices, wearable electronic devices, upper extremity.

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