Interval setting selection affects ambulatory activity outputs in children with cerebral palsy

Wilshaw R. Stevens, Kirsten Tulchin-Francis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction Accelerometer based devices have been widely used to assess the ambulatory activity of children with and without functional disabilities. Many researchers who utilize the StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) collect at a 60 second (60sec) interval setting. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of SAM interval settings on ambulatory activity outputs in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing youth. Methods Participants wore a SAM which recorded the number of strides every 10 seconds (10 s) for one week. Raw 10 s data was downsampled to combine strides into 60sec intervals. Strides were ensembled into walking bouts with the Intensity/Duration calculated as a percentage of Total Ambulatory Time (TAT). Results Twenty-eight children with CP (14 boys; avg. 12 yrs. 4 mths.; GMFCS Level I n = 4, Level II n = 19, Level III n = 5) completed testing and 28 age matched typically developing youth (14 boys; avg. 12 yrs. 6 mths.) were included. Using the 10sec interval, ∼80% of walking bouts in both groups were less than or equal to 60 s. Data recorded at 60sec intervals had higher daily TAT but fewer walking bouts. In children with CP, daily steps were higher using the 60sec interval. At the Easy intensity, the 60sec interval reported an increased volume of Long duration walking, and it rarely identified any Moderate+ intensity activity. Conclusions 60sec interval data overestimated low intensity and long duration ambulatory activity. It is imperative that investigators choose a finer interval setting (10sec) to maximize the detection of gait transitions and rest periods which are critical in describing community ambulation of patients with cerebral palsy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)69-73
Number of pages5
JournalGait and Posture
Volume57
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2017

Keywords

  • Activity monitor
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Intensity/duration/volume
  • Interval setting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interval setting selection affects ambulatory activity outputs in children with cerebral palsy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this