The Sensitivity and Specificity of an Activity Monitor in Detecting Functional Activities in Young People With Cerebral Palsy
By Mackey, Anna H.; Hewart, Penelope; Walt, Sharon E.; Stott, N. Susan; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 90, No. 8, pp. 1396-1401Publication Date: August 2009
Study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA) monitor in detecting functional activities in young people with cerebral palsy (CP). The IDEEA is described as a device consisting of 5 small accelerometer sensors placed on the body, attached by leads to a microprocessor worn on the waistband. For the study, 25 participants with CP and 30 participants without disabilities, aged 8 to 25 years, completed 5 functional activities with the monitor attached: sitting, lying, standing, walking, and stair climbing, during two identical testing sessions completed one week apart. The sensitivity and specificity of the monitor in detecting each activity was calculated by comparison to a written timed report, with sensitivity being defined as the probability that a test will be positive for a true finding, and specificity denoting the probability that a test will be negative for a negative finding. Sitting, lying, and standing were detected with median 100 percent sensitivity in both participant groups and across both testing sessions. Accuracy of walking detection was reduced compared with static activities across the two sessions and groups, with the CP group having a significantly higher number of participants where the activity was not detected with 100 percent sensitivity. Stair climbing was detected in only half of the 12 participants with CP who could achieve the task. The IDEEA demonstrated a specificity range of 97 to 100 percent for both participant groups. Study limitations and implications for further research are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: IDEEA
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
Link to text: http://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(09)00275-5
