Monitoring Walking Activity with Wearable Technology in Rural-dwelling Older Adults in Tanzania: A Feasibility Study Nested within a Frailty Prevalence Study.
Exp Aging Res
; 46(5): 367-381, 2020.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32643558
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Older adults with lower levels of activity can be at risk of poor health outcomes. Wearable technology has improved the acceptability and objectivity of measuring activity for older adults in high-income countries. Nevertheless, the technology is under-utilized in low-to-middle income countries. The aim was to explore feasibility, acceptability and utility of wearable technology to measure walking activity in rural-dwelling, older Tanzanians.METHODS:
A total of 65 participants (73.9 ± 11.2 years), 36 non-frail and 29 frail, were assessed. Free-living data were recorded for 7 days with an accelerometer on the lower back. Data were analyzed via an automatic cloud-based pipeline volume, pattern and variability of walking were extracted. Acceptability questionnaires were completed. T-tests were used for comparison between the groups.RESULTS:
59/65 datasets were analyzed. Questionnaires indicated that 15/65 (23.0%) experienced some therapeutic benefit from the accelerometer, 15/65 (23.0%) expected diagnostic benefit; 16/65 (24.6%) experienced symptoms while wearing the accelerometer (e.g. itching). Frail adults walked significantly less, had less variable walking patterns, and had a greater proportion of shorter walking bouts compared to the non-frail.CONCLUSION:
This study suggests that important contextual and practical limitations withstanding wearable technology may be feasible for measuring walking activity in older rural-dwelling adults in low-income settings, identifying those with frailty.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Caminhada
/
Fragilidade
/
Dispositivos Eletrônicos Vestíveis
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Exp Aging Res
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido