Feasibility of a Sensor-Based Technological Platform in Assessing Gait and Sleep of In-Hospital Stroke and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (iSCI) Patients.

Maartje M S Hendriks,Noel L W Keijsers,Marije Vos-Van Der Hulst

doi:10.3390/s20102748

Abstract

Recovery of the walking function is one of the most common rehabilitation goals of neurological patients. Sufficient and adequate sleep is a prerequisite for recovery or training. To objectively monitor patients’ progress, a combination of different sensors measuring continuously over time is needed. A sensor-based technological platform offers possibilities to monitor gait and sleep. Implementation in clinical practice is of utmost relevance and has scarcely been studied. Therefore, this study examined the feasibility of a sensor-based technological platform within the clinical setting. Participants (12 incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI), 13 stroke) were asked to wear inertial measurement units (IMUs) around the ankles during daytime and the bed sensor was placed under their mattress for one week. Feasibility was established based on missing data, error cause, and user experience. Percentage of missing measurement days and nights was 14% and 4%, respectively. Main cause of lost measurement days was related to missing IMU sensor data. Participants were not impeded, did not experience any discomfort, and found the sensors easy to use. The sensor-based technological platform is feasible to use within the clinical rehabilitation setting for continuously monitoring gait and sleep of iSCI and stroke patients.

Highlights

Neurological injury (e.g., stroke or incomplete spinal cord injury) often leads to motor impairment, which affects daily activity and mobility [1,2,3]
Main cause of lost measurement days was related to missing inertial measurement units (IMUs) sensor data
The sensor-based technological platform is feasible to use within the clinical rehabilitation setting for continuously monitoring gait and sleep of iSCI and stroke patients

Summary

Introduction

Neurological injury (e.g., stroke or incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI)) often leads to motor impairment, which affects daily activity and mobility (walking) [1,2,3]. Recovery of walking function is considered of utmost relevance and is one of the most common rehabilitation goals of neurological patients [4,5]. Early ambulation activity during rehabilitation has shown to have many beneficial effects on physical health, such as increased muscle strength and improved endurance [6,7]. Several studies demonstrated that physical activity during the early rehabilitation period positively affects an individual’s ultimate functional capacity [8,9]. In-hospital rehabilitation aims to increase patients’ physical activity, both during rehabilitation therapy, as well as during the remainder of the day [11]. In addition to physical activity during the day, sufficient and adequate sleep promotes rehabilitation by gaining physical and psychological energy [12,13]

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion