Quantifying Steps During a Timed Up and Go Test Using a Wearable Sensor System: A Laboratory-Based Validation Study in Healthy Young and Older Volunteers

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2021 Nov:2021:6945-6948. doi: 10.1109/EMBC46164.2021.9631036.

Abstract

Mobility is an important factor in maintaining health and independence in an aging population. Facilitating community-dwelling older adults to independently identify signs of functional decline could help reduce disability and frailty development. Step-count from a body-worn sensor system was compared with a criterion measure in healthy young (n = 10) and healthy older adults (n = 10) during a Timed Up and Go test under different conditions. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient indicated strong agreement between the sensor-obtained step-count and that of the criterion measure in both age groups, in all mobility tests. A body-worn sensor system can provide objective, quantitative measures of step-count over short distances in older adults. Future research will examine if step-count alone can be used to identify functional decline and risk of frailty.Clinical Relevance-This demonstrates the correlation between step-count derived from a wearable sensor and a criterion measure over a short distance in older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Postural Balance*
  • Time and Motion Studies
  • Volunteers
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*