Poster 8 Sensor-enabled Radio Frequency Identification Tags for Remotely Monitoring Everyday Arm Activity: Sensitivity and Specificity

Abstract

Evaluate sensitivity and specificity of a system of sensor-enabled radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for measuring everyday arm activity in stroke survivors. Benchmark testing. An accelerometer, which is a type of movement sensor, and the “male” component of a wireless proximity sensor were attached to household objects. The “female” component of the proximity sensor was placed on the experimenter's right arm. This device triggered an on-board active RFID tag to signal proximity when the experimenter's right arm was within 15 cm of the objects. A RFID reader connected to a laptop computer captured these signals. Custom software tracked (a) how many times the objects were manipulated and (b) whether the objects were manipulated with the experimenter's right hand. To determine the smallest movement that could be detected, the experimenter moved the objects to targets 8, 12, and 16 cm away from a fixed spot 200 times. To determine whether the system could detect when the objects were grasped, the experimenter stood approximately 60 cm away from two objects (1, 2) that were placed 60 cm apart. On 160 trials, a random process determined whether the experimenter grasped Object 1 or 2 and with which hand. Laboratory. Individual without disability. Not applicable. Number or time objects (a) moved by right arm and (b) grasped by right arm. The RFID system detected 12 cm or greater movements of household objects with 100% accuracy. Handling of Object 1 or 2 with the right arm was detected with 100% accuracy. No signals were recorded when objects were at rest or moved by the left arm. This system provided a sensitive and specific measure of manipulation of objects by the arm of interest. Testing in rehabilitation populations with asymmetric arm deficits is warranted.