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Updated: Nov 5, 2025
A Method for Quantifying Upper Limb Performance in Daily Life Using Accelerometers
Published on: April 21, 2017
Alternative Wear-time Estimation Methods Compared to Traditional Diary Logs for Wrist-Worn ActiGraph Accelerometers
Samantha F Ehrlich1, Amanda J Casteel2, Scott E Crouter2
1Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Background:
This study sought to compare three sensor-based wear-time estimation methods to conventional diaries for ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers worn on the non-dominant wrist in early pregnancy.
Methods:
Pregnant women (n= 108) wore ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers for 7 days and recorded their device on and off times in a diary (criterion). Average daily wear-time estimates from the Troiano and Choi algorithms and the wGT3X-BT accelerometer wear sensor were compared against the diary. The Hibbing 2-regression model was used to estimate time spent in activity (during periods of device wear) for each method. Wear-time and time spent in activity were compared with multiple repeated measures ANOVAs. Bland Altman plots assessed agreement between methods.
Results:
Compared to the diary [825.5 minutes (795.1, 856.0)], the Choi [843.0 (95% CI 812.6, 873.5)] and Troiano [839.1 (808.7, 869.6)] algorithms slightly overestimated wear-time, whereas the sensor [774.4 (743.9, 804.9)] underestimated it, although only the sensor differed significantly from the diary (P < .0001). Upon adjustment for average daily wear-time, there were no statistically significant differences between the wear-time methods in regards to minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), vigorous PA, and moderate PA. Bland Altman plots indicated the Troiano and Choi algorithms were similar to the diary and within ≤ 0.5% of each other for wear-time and MVPA.
Conclusions:
The Choi or Troiano algorithms offer a valid and efficient alternative to diaries for the estimation daily wear-time in larger-scale studies of MVPA during pregnancy, and reduce burden for study participants and research staff.
