Using Accelerometers to Count Steps After Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Spiros Tsamassiotis, Michael Schwarze, Philipp Gehring, Roman F. Karkosch, Lars‐René Tücking, Ann‐Kathrin Einfeldt, Eike Jakubowitz
Primary Institution: Hannover Medical School
Hypothesis
Only accelerometers can accurately determine the number of steps taken by orthopaedic patients in the early post-operative phase.
Conclusion
Commercial wearables can only accurately count steps under specific conditions in the early post-operative period, while accelerometers appear suitable for this purpose.
Supporting Evidence
- Accelerometers showed lower relative error compared to commercial wearables.
- Step counting accuracy improved with increased gait speed.
- The AX6 accelerometer was the most accurate device tested.
- Positioning of the sensor on the ankle yielded the best results.
- Commercial wearables performed poorly at slow walking speeds.
- Only AX6 and Fitbit provided acceptable measurements with walking aids.
- Participants simulated post-operative conditions while walking.
Takeaway
This study found that special devices called accelerometers can count how many steps patients take after surgery, which helps doctors see how well they are recovering.
Methodology
The study involved 20 healthy subjects walking with different aids and wearables, comparing their step counts to a gold standard visual count.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the healthy participant selection and the inability to control for partial weight-bearing during walking.
Limitations
The study had a small number of participants and involved healthy subjects rather than actual post-operative patients.
Participant Demographics
20 medical students, 7 females and 13 males, average age 25.1 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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