A Sensor-Based Feedback Device Stimulating Daily Life Upper Extremity Activity in Stroke Patients: A Feasibility
Anthonia J Langerak1, Gerrit Ruben Hendrik Regterschot1, Marc Evers2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 14, 2023
Summary
The Arm Activity Tracker (AAT) shows promise for increasing upper extremity (UE) activity in stroke patients. Adherent participants reported good usability and acceptance, suggesting AAT
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Stroke survivors often experience upper extremity (UE) motor deficits.
- Stimulating daily life UE activity is crucial for recovery.
- Wearable technology offers potential for remote and continuous rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and explore the efficacy of the Arm Activity Tracker (AAT) in stroke patients.
- To assess adherence, acceptance, and usability of the AAT.
- To investigate the impact of the AAT on paretic UE activity.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, crossover within-subject study design was employed.
- Feasibility was assessed via dropout rates, data collection sufficiency, technology acceptance, and system usability.
- Two-way ANOVA was used to compare paretic UE activity and UE activity ratio across conditions.
Main Results:
- Seventeen sub-acute stroke patients were included, with a 29% dropout rate.
- Adherent participants reported high acceptance (median: 94) and usability (median: 77.5).
- Small to medium effect sizes favored the AAT intervention for paretic UE activity (η²G = 0.07, p = 0.04).
Conclusions:
- The Arm Activity Tracker (AAT) is feasible and demonstrates good acceptance and usability among stroke patients.
- The AAT shows potential for increasing paretic UE activity.
- Further research with a powered trial is recommended to confirm efficacy and address dropouts.
