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Validation of a talking pedometer for adults with visual impairment
Elizabeth Ackley Holbrook1, Sandy L Stevens, Minsoo Kang
1Department of Health and Human Performance, Roanoke College, Salem, VA 24153, USA. holbrook@roanoke.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|November 19, 2010
Summary
The Centrios talking pedometer accurately tracks steps for adults with visual impairment (VI) when worn on the hip opposite their mobility aid, regardless of environment familiarity. This finding is crucial for monitoring physical activity in VI populations.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Science
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Individuals with visual impairment (VI) often alter gait and mobility aid (MA) use in different environments.
- The accuracy of adaptive pedometers under these conditions, specifically concerning MA use and environmental familiarity, remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the accuracy of the Centrios talking pedometer for adults with VI.
- To assess the pedometer's performance relative to environmental familiarity and mobility aid usage.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen adults with VI completed walking trials on a familiar and unfamiliar course.
- A Centrios talking pedometer was worn on the hip (left side and opposite MA side).
- Accuracy was measured by absolute percent error (APE) between actual and pedometer-recorded steps.
Main Results:
- Pedometer accuracy was high (APE=2.1%) when worn opposite the MA in unfamiliar settings.
- Accuracy was reduced (APE=11.1%) when worn on the same side as the MA in unfamiliar settings.
- Accuracy remained high (<3% APE) in familiar settings, irrespective of MA side.
Conclusions:
- The Centrios talking pedometer provides valid step-based activity monitoring for adults with VI.
- Optimal accuracy is achieved when the pedometer is worn on the hip opposite the mobility aid.
- Environmental familiarity does not significantly impact pedometer accuracy when worn in the optimal position.
