A Smartphone-Based Algorithm for L Test Subtask Segmentation

Abstract

Background: Subtask segmentation can provide useful information from clinical tests, allowing clinicians to better assess a patient’s mobility status. A new smartphone-based algorithm was developed to segment the L Test of functional mobility into stand-up, sit-down, and turn subtasks. Methods: Twenty-one able-bodied participants each completed five L Test trials, with a smartphone attached to their posterior pelvis. The smartphone used a custom-designed application that collected linear acceleration, gyroscope, and magnetometer data, which were then put into a threshold-based algorithm for subtask segmentation. Results: The algorithm produced good results (>97% accuracy, >98% specificity, >74% sensitivity) for all subtasks. Conclusions: These results were a substantial improvement compared with previously published results for the L Test, as well as similar functional mobility tests. This smartphone-based approach is an accessible method for providing useful metrics from the L Test that can lead to better clinical decision-making.