Towards a minimized unsupervised technical assessment of physical performance in domestic environments

Abstract

Early detection of changes in mobility associated with functional decline can increase the therapeutic success by prolonging self-determined living. To get an unbiased and high frequently status of the physical performance of the persons at risk, unsupervised assessments of their functional abilities should ideally take place in their homes. Thus, we have developed a minimized unsupervised technical assessment of physical performance in domestic environments. By conducting an exploratory factor analysis, based on the results of 79 study participants with a minimum age of 70 years, we could clarify that common assessment items mainly represent three key parameters of functional performance "mobility and endurance", "strength" and "balance". Consequently, we identified a minimal set of assessment items that is suitable for home-assessments and that, since covering all three parameters, is able to generate clinical meaningful and relevant insights about the functional status. Regarding the parameter mobility, we developed a technical assessment of physical performance for domestic environments, which utilizes short distance walk times assessed via ambient presence sensors as an indicator for potential functional decline. In a field trial over ten months with 20 participants with a mean age of 84.25 years, we could confirm the general feasibility of our approach and the proposed system.