Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate the measurement properties of the StepWatch() Activity
Monitor (SAM) and ActivPAL in COPD. METHOD:
Whilst wearing both monitors,
participants performed walking tasks at two self-selected speeds, with and
without a rollator. Steps obtained using the monitors were compared with that
measured by direct observation. RESULTS: Twenty participants aged 73 +/- 9 years
(FEV(1) = 35 +/- 13% pred; 8 males) completed the study. Average speeds for the
slow and normal walking tasks were 34 +/- 7 m.min(-1)and 46 +/- 10 m.min(-1),
respectively. Agreement between steps recorded by the SAM with steps counted was
similar irrespective of speed or rollator use (p = 0.63) with a mean difference
and limit of agreement (LOA) of 2 steps.min(-1) and 6 steps.min(-1),
respectively. Agreement for the ActivPAL was worse at slow speeds (mean
difference 7 steps.min(-1); LOA 10 steps.min(-1)) compared with normal speeds
(mean difference 4 steps.min(-1); LOA 5 steps.min(-1)) (p = 0.03), but was
unaffected by rollator use.
The change in step rate between slow and normal
walking via direct observation was 12 +/- 7 steps.min(-1) which was similar to
that detected by the SAM (12 +/- 6 steps.min(-1)) and ActivPAL (14 +/- 7
steps.min(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: The SAM can be used to detect steps in people who
walk very slowly including those who use a rollator. Both devices were sensitive to small changes.

Langue : ANGLAIS