Utilization of wearable activity monitors to support physical activity interventions in neurodegenerative diseases: a feasibility study

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of using wearable activity monitors as part of a physical activity (PA) intervention and describe patterns of device weartime and PA behavior in people with Parkinson (PD) and Huntington disease (HD).Materials and MethodsSecondary analyses were conducted on two pilot studies where people with early-stage PD (n=13) and HD (n=14) enrolled in a 4-month PA coaching program. Participants wore a Fitbit Charge 2 and physical and occupational therapists guided them through understanding of PA data and goal-setting to build autonomy and facilitate PA uptake. Wear time, wear habits (delineated based on nighttime wear), and activity metrics including steps, resting heart rate, and metabolic equivalent of task (MET) *minutes were analyzed.ResultsRetention rate of the intervention was 85%. Participants had a mean (SD) of 92.3(9.2)% valid wear days over the intervention period. Average daily wear time was 18.4(4.5) hours, with an initial 2-week period of high wear time fluctuation. Regardless of diagnosis, day & night Fitbit wearers had more improvements in steps (d=1.02) and MET*min/week (d=0.69) compared to day-only wearers.ConclusionsImplementing wearable activity monitors in a PA coaching intervention was feasible and provided insight into longitudinal PA behavior in people with neurodegenerative diseases.