The Association Between Physical Activity/Heart Rate Variability Data Obtained Using a Wearable Device and Timed...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Digital Health

Background:

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked muscle disorder.
• Current DMD clinical evaluations rely on time-consuming motor function tests.
• Wearable devices offer novel methods for collecting physical activity and biometric data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare physical activity and heart rate variability (HRV) between DMD patients and healthy individuals using wearable technology.
• To investigate the association between these wearable-derived parameters and motor function in DMD patients.

Main Methods:

• Utilized wearable devices to collect 24-hour physical activity and HRV data from 7 DMD patients and 8 healthy males.
• Assessed the correlation between physical activity and HRV metrics with established motor function tests (Time to stand, 10MWT, NSAA, 6MWT).

Main Results:

• DMD patients exhibited significantly lower physical activity levels, including fewer steps, reduced active distance, and lower exercise intensity compared to controls.
• Heart rate variability indices such as LF norm and maximum exercise intensity were also reduced in DMD patients.
• Specific correlations were found between motor function tests and HRV parameters: 10MWT with average heart rate, NSAA with average heart rate, TF, and VLF, and 6MWT with LF/HF ratio.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity and HRV indices measured by wearable devices show distinct patterns in DMD patients compared to healthy individuals.
• These digital biomarkers demonstrate correlations with motor function assessments, suggesting their potential utility.
• Wearable-derived physical activity and HRV data may serve as valuable digital biomarkers for monitoring DMD progression and treatment efficacy.