Wearable strain gauge-based technology measures manual tactile forces during the activities of daily living

Introduction

Current methods of determining applied forces in the hand rely on grip dynamometers or force-measurement gloves which are limited in their ability to isolate individual finger forces and interfere with the sense of touch. The objective of this study was to develop an improved force measurement system that could be used during various activities of daily living.

Methods

Custom-made strain gauge sensors were secured to the fingernail of four fingers and two middle phalanges and calibrated to measure hand forces in eight healthy individuals during five activities of daily living.

Results

These sensors were capable of measuring forces as small as 0.17 N and did not saturate at high force tasks around 15 N, which is within the envelope of forces experienced during daily life. Preliminary data demonstrate the ability of these tactile sensors to reliably distinguish which fingers/segments were used in various tasks.

Conclusions

Until now, there has been no method for real-time unobtrusive monitoring of force exposure during the tasks of daily life. The system used in this study provides a new type of low-cost wearable technology to monitor forces in the hands without interfering with the contact surface of the hand.

Development of a step counting algorithm using the ambulatory tibia load analysis system for tibia fracture patients

Introduction: Ambulation can be used to monitor the healing of lower extremity fractures. However, the ambulatory behavior of tibia fracture patients remains unknown due to an inability to continuously quantify ambulation outside of the clinic. The goal of this study was to design and validate an algorithm to assess ambulation in tibia fracture patients using the ambulatory tibial load analysis system during recovery, outside of the clinic.

Increasing physical activity in older adults using STARFISH, an interactive smartphone application (app); a pilot study

Background

Increasing physical activity in older adults has preventative and therapeutic health benefits. We have developed STARFISH, a smartphone application, to increase physical activity. This paper describes the features of STARFISH, presents the views of older users on the acceptability and usability of the app and reports the results of a six week pilot study of the STARFISH app in older adults.

Methods

The operationalisation of the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) within the STARFISH app was mapped against the BCT Taxonomy of Michie et al. Sixteen healthy older adults (eight women and eight men; age 71.1 ± 5.2 years) used the app, in groups of four, for six weeks. Focus groups explored the user experience and objective measure of steps per day recorded.

Results

Participants were very positive about using the STARFISH app, in particular the embedded BCTs of self-monitoring, feedback and social support (in the form of group rewards). Objective step data, available for eight participants, showed that step counts increased by an average of 14% (p = 0.077, d = 0.56).

Conclusion

The STARFISH app was acceptable and straightforward to use for older adults. STARFISH has potential to increase physical activity in older adults; however, a fully powered randomised controlled trial is required.