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 other wearables.
- Step counting accuracy improved with increased gait speed.
- The AX6 accelerometer was the most accurate device tested.
- Positioning the accelerometer on the ankle yielded the best results.
- Commercial wearables performed poorly at slow walking speeds.
- Only AX6 and Fitbit provided consistent results with walking aids.
- Participants simulated post-operative conditions while walking.
- Visual step counting was used as the gold standard for comparison.
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 using various walking aids and wearables to measure step counts, comparing results to visual and video counting.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of healthy subjects 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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