Accelerometry-based method for assessing energy expenditure in patients with diabetes during walking

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Metabolic Research
• Diabetes Care

Background:

• Accurate monitoring of activity-related energy expenditure (EE) is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D).
• Accelerometry-based methods are commonly used for EE estimation, but their validity in T2D populations requires confirmation.
• This study evaluated Bouten's accelerometry-based method for assessing EE during walking in T2D patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate an accelerometry-based method (Bouten's method) for estimating energy expenditure during walking in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• To assess the accuracy of accelerometry in measuring EE in a T2D cohort.

Main Methods:

• Twenty patients with controlled type 2 diabetes participated.
• Participants walked on a treadmill at various speeds (0.5-1.5 m/s) for 6-minute intervals.
• Energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry, with mechanical data captured by a lower back-mounted inertial measurement unit.

Main Results:

• The accelerometry-based method showed no significant difference in EE values compared to indirect calorimetry.
• Average bias was -1.17 kJ/min and root mean square error was 2.93 kJ/min across all tested speeds.
• The method demonstrated good agreement with direct measurements of energy expenditure.

Conclusions:

• Accelerometry-based methods can accurately estimate energy expenditure during walking in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• This finding supports the use of accelerometry for monitoring physical activity and energy balance in T2D management.
• The validated method offers a practical tool for assessing EE in clinical and research settings for diabetes care.