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Updated: May 9, 2026
A Method for Quantifying Upper Limb Performance in Daily Life Using Accelerometers
Published on: April 21, 2017
Changes in device-measured daily physical activity over one year in memory clinic patients
Kim Frederik Gundrosen1, Kristin Taraldsen2, Karen Sverdrup3,4
1Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
Background:
This longitudinal study explored the one-year change in device-measured daily physical activity in patients attending a memory clinic.
Methods:
Physical activity was recorded in 27 memory clinic patients over four days using accelerometers (activPAL3 micro) at baseline and one-year follow-up. Daily physical activity outcomes included upright time, standing time, walking time, number of steps, number of transitions, mean upright event length, and maximum upright event length. Changes between baseline and follow-up were analysed using paired sample t-tests.
Results:
Patients' mean (SD) age was 69.4 (8.1) years, and 14 (51.9%) were women. The only significant change was a decrease in maximum upright event length from a mean (SD) of 84.3 (31.6) minutes at baseline to 59.2 (22.5) minutes at one-year follow-up (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Daily physical activity volume remained stable over one year, but the reduction in maximum upright event length indicates a shift in activity distribution.
