Study to Determine the Criterion Validity of the SenseWear Armband as a Measure of Physical Activity in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective. Measuring physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is of great importance in light of the increased mortality in this population due to cardiovascular disease. Validation of activity monitors in specific populations is recommended to ensure the accuracy of physical activity measurement. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the SenseWear Pro3 Armband (SWA) as a measure of physical activity during activities of daily living (ADL) in people with RA. Methods. Fourteen subjects (8 men and 6 women) with a diagnosis of RA were recruited from rheumatology clinics at the Mid-Western Regional Hospitals, Limerick, Ireland. Participants undertook a series of ADL of varying intensities. The SWA was compared to the criterion measures of the Oxycon Mobile indirect calorimetry system (energy expenditure in kJ) and of manual video observation (step count). Bland and Altman, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and correlation analyses were done using SPSS, version 19.0. Results. The SWA showed substantial agreement (ICC 0.717, P < 0.001) and a strong relationship (Pearson's correlation coefficient ‫؍‬ 0.852) compared with the criterion measure when estimating energy expenditure during ADL. However, it was found that the SWA overestimated energy expenditure, particularly at higher intensity levels. The ability of the SWA to estimate step counts during ADL was poor (ICC 0.304, P ‫؍‬ 0.038). Conclusion. The SWA can be considered a valid tool to estimate energy expenditure during ADL in the RA population; however, attention should be paid to its tendency to overestimate energy expenditure.

Behaviour change interventions to promote physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

“…Thus, objective measurement of physical activity is recommended for both in interventions and RCTs [27] where possible. A small number of standardised outcome measures such as the Yale Physical Activity Survey [48] and objective measures such as the SenseWear Pro3 Armband (Bodymedia) and the Dynaport ® ADL monitor ® (McRoberts BV, The Hague, Netherlands) [49,50] have been validated in RA populations, and use of these validated measures is preferable. However, none of the measures which have been validated in people who have RA were used in the studies included in this review.…”

Sedentary behaviour in rheumatoid arthritis: definition, measurement and implications for health

“…However, its validity for quantifying step count and the number of sedentary time interruptions has been queried (i.e., underestimation by 26% and 36%, respectively) [56]. The validity of the Sensewear Armband (SWA) has also been examined, with data indicating this device to underestimate sedentary time in RA (as computed using manufacturer-derived proprietary algorithms) when compared with energy expenditure assessed via indirect calorimetry [61]. This underestimation was suggested to be due to the elevated resting energy expenditure observed in this patient population, relative to healthy adults in which the proprietary-SWA-algorithms tested were developed [61].…”

“…The validity of the Sensewear Armband (SWA) has also been examined, with data indicating this device to underestimate sedentary time in RA (as computed using manufacturer-derived proprietary algorithms) when compared with energy expenditure assessed via indirect calorimetry [61]. This underestimation was suggested to be due to the elevated resting energy expenditure observed in this patient population, relative to healthy adults in which the proprietary-SWA-algorithms tested were developed [61]. As such, these findings support the thesis that inaccuracies in sedentary time estimation may arise when studies in RA employ SB algorithms derived from calibration studies in healthy adults (e.g.,<100cpm - Table 3) [59,60,62,63].…”

Validation of the SenseWear Armband in different ambient temperatures

“…In two studies with individuals with chronic obstructive disease, agreement between the armband and the metabolic cart was found to be fair (Dwyer et al, 2009) or good (Hill, et al, 2010) but use of a walker increased error variability and reduced agreement. The armband was also considered a valid tool to estimate EE during daily activities in people with rheumatoid arthritis (Tierney, Fraser, Purtill, & Kennedy, 2013). However, in this population, attention should be paid to its tendency to underestimate EE, particularly during slow walking.…”