Portable multisensor activity monitor (SenseWear) lacks accuracy in energy expenditure measurement during treadmill walking following stroke

Abstract

Introduction: This research aimed to assess the accuracy of a portable multi-sensor device (SenseWear armband) measuring energy expenditure in people with stroke compared with indirect calorimetry at rest and during treadmill walking. Secondary aims were to determine if there was a difference depending on which arm the device was placed and to determine the accuracy of the armband step count. Materials and Methods: Ten stroke survivors (mean age 64.3 SD 7.7 years; 70% male) wore an armband on each arm and metabolic facemask. Energy expenditure was measured at rest and during two 10-minute bouts of treadmill walking at different speeds separated with a seated rest. Results: The armband was accurate for measuring energy expenditure at rest (Intraclass correlations (ICC) > 0.869), with poor to fair accuracy during treadmill walking (ICC>0.306). The non-hemiplegic arm provided more accurate energy expenditure measurement (ICC>0.409), underestimating with 10%-15% absolute percentage error. SenseWear armband was inaccurate for measuring step count (absolute percentage error approximately 30%). Conclusion: These results suggest that SenseWear armband lacks accuracy for measuring energy expenditure during treadmill walking in people with stroke; with the non-hemiplegic arm the most accurate. The armband is inaccurate measuring step count. Revision of algorithms specific for people following stroke may improve accuracy.