Accuracy Activity Monitors for Inhospital Activity Monitoring of Geriatric Patients

Accuracy of Activity Monitors Based on Accelerometers and/or Multiple Sensors for the Objective Measurement of Physical Activity of Geriatric Patients During Hospitalization in Acute Care of Elderly (ACE) and Geriatric Rehabilitation Units

The focus of this study will be to determine the accuracy of the MOX, the Axivity and Fitbit, Empatica and Chill+ activity monitors (with both custom-made and available algorithms) for the classification of lying, sitting, standing, walking and climbing stairs in hospitalized older people in Acute Care for the elderly (ACE) and geriatric rehabilitation units.

In addition, the feasibility of the use of the activity monitors as a measurement tool in daily practice during hospitalization in the geriatric department will be investigated.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Stroke; Hip Fractures; Abdominal Injury
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: activity monitor

Detailed Description

Adequate physical activity and exercise throughout the day are important to maximize independence and quality of life. To be able to optimize the physiotherapeutic interventions and to monitor how much geriatric patients move during hospitalization, it is desirable to follow up their activity by means of an activity monitor. In this study the investigators will determine the accuracy of three different types of activity monitors, the "MOX" placed on the thigh, the "Axivity" placed on the torso and the "Fitbit Sense", the "Empatica" and the "Chill+" placed on the wrist, for the classification of lying, sitting, standing, walking and climbing stairs in hospitalized older people in the geriatric department.

In this clinical study, 40 patients will participate of which 20 hospitalized in the geriatric rehabilitation unit at campus Pellenberg and 20 hospitalized in the acute care of elderly units at campus Gasthuisberg UZ Leuven, Belgium.

These activity monitors will remain attached for seven days so that activity can monitored during the week as well as on weekends. In an experimental test session a total of five activities (lying down, sitting, standing, walking and possibly climbing stairs) will be performed and observed, each lasting four minutes. The observations will be recorded by video where only the lower body will be in focus.

There will be daily checks to see if the activity monitors on the thigh, torso, and wrist stay in place, if the skin tolerates it well, if participants experiencing subjective discomfort, and if the measurements continue. At the end of the week, a short questionnaire will be completed on the user-friendliness of the different monitors.

The investigators will use the accuracy and patient satisfaction outcomes to decide the feasibility of using these activity monitors as a measurement tool in daily practice during hospitalization.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Leuven, Belgium, 3000
    • Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 70 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Participant are admitted to a geriatric ward in UZ Leuven, Belgium and use a walkingaid.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• admitted to the rehabilitation or acute ward of UZ Leuven
• walking with the use of a walkingaid
• a signed informed consent form
• an expected stay of at least 7 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• medically unstable

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
independent walking with walking aid; the participant is able to walk with a walking aid and does not need further assistance.	Device: activity monitor; Both groups will wear three different activity monitors for one week. There is one observation moment which consists of four minutes lying, sitting, standing, walking and taking stairs. Participants will be filmed during this moment.; Other Names: accelerometer; activity sensor
dependent walking with walking aid; the participant is able to walk with assistance and a walking aid	Device: activity monitor; Both groups will wear three different activity monitors for one week. There is one observation moment which consists of four minutes lying, sitting, standing, walking and taking stairs. Participants will be filmed during this moment.; Other Names: accelerometer; activity sensor

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
accuracy of the activity monitors compared to the observation	accuracy of the activity monitors during the observation moment, second by second	30 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
usability of an activity monitor in daily practice on the ward	Short questionnaire to explore the usability of the activity monitors	one week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: KU Leuven
• Collaborators: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Johan Flamaing, MD, PhD, UZ Leuven, KU Leuven

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• van Dijk M, Bijnens W, Van Driessche C, Van Meerbeek T, Allegaert P, Van Cleynenbreugel H, Verschueren S, Verheyden G, Tournoy J, Flamaing J. Accuracy of an Activity Monitor in Assessing Physical Activity of Hospitalized Geriatric Rehabilitation Patients With Slow Walking Speed Using a Walking Aid. J Aging Phys Act. 2024 Nov 20;33(3):243-250. doi: 10.1123/japa.2023-0319. Print 2025 Jun 1.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 22, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): April 29, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 30, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: elderly; activity monitors; geriatric inhospital rehabilitation
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Leg Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Femoral Fractures; Hip Injuries; Hip Fractures; Abdominal Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: S64932

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No