Wearable Activity Monitoring in Day-to-Day Stroke Care: A Promising Tool but Not Widely Used

Abstract

Physical activity monitoring with wearable technology has the potential to support stroke rehabilitation. Little is known about how physical therapists use and value the use of wearable activity monitors. This cross-sectional study explores the use, perspectives, and barriers to wearable activity monitoring in day-to-day stroke care routines amongst physical therapists. Over 300 physical therapists in primary and geriatric care and rehabilitation centers in the Netherlands were invited to fill in an online survey that was developed based on previous studies and interviews with experts. In total, 103 complete surveys were analyzed. Out of the 103 surveys, 27% of the respondents were already using activity monitoring. Of the suggested treatment purposes of activity monitoring, 86% were perceived as useful by more than 55% of the therapists. The most recognized barriers to clinical implementation were lack of skills and knowledge of patients (65%) and not knowing what brand and type of monitor to choose (54%). Of the non-users, 79% were willing to use it in the future. In conclusion, although the concept of remote activity monitoring was perceived as useful, it was not widely adopted by physical therapists involved in stroke care. To date, skills, beliefs, and attitudes of individual therapists determine the current use of wearable technology.

Wearable Movement Sensors for Rehabilitation: From Technology to Clinical Practice

“…Braakhuis et al (2021) [ 17 ] explored the use, perspectives, and barriers to wearable activity monitoring in day-to-day stroke care routines amongst physical therapists. Results of the online survey showed that 27% of the respondents were using activity monitoring, and the concept of remote activity monitoring was perceived as useful.…”

Advances in Remote Monitoring for Stroke Recovery

“…Thus, it is unsurprising that only a small percentage of physical therapists use remote monitoring for physical activity and its clinical implementation in stroke care is lagging behind. 20 Taken together, these challenges have led experts in the field to remark that the evidence for remote delivery of stroke rehabilitation is not strong 21 and provides an opportunity for clinicians and researchers to advance the telehealth field with rigorous, large-sample clinical trials.…”

Utility and usability of a wearable system and progressive-challenge cued exercise program for encouraging use of the more involved arm at-home after stroke—a feasibility study with case reports

“…Augmenting home-based tele-rehabilitation programs with wearable technologies that monitor movement and provide feedback to patients and therapists has potential to improve stroke outcomes through increased intensity of therapy and adherence to rehabilitation programs [ 12 , 13 ]; see also [ 9 ]. Despite its promise, wearable activity monitoring technology is not widely used by therapists in day-to-day stroke care in the clinic [ 14 ] or by patients at home. Barriers to adoption include lack of skills and knowledge of patients, not knowing what brand and type of monitor to choose (cf.…”