An Algorithm for Activity Recognition and Assessment of Adults Poststroke.

Abstract

Importance: Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Providers have no robust tools to objectively and accurately measure the activity of people with stroke living at home.

Objective: To explore the integration of validated upper extremity assessments poststroke within an activity recognition system.

Design: Exploratory descriptive study using data previously collected over 3 mo to report on algorithm testing and assessment integration.

Setting: Data were collected in the homes of community-dwelling participants.

Participants: Participants were at least 6 mo poststroke, were able to ambulate with or without an assistive device, and self-reported some difficulty using their arm in everyday activities.

Outcomes and measures: The activity detection algorithm's accuracy was determined by comparing its activity labels with manual labels. The algorithm integrated assessment by describing the quality of upper extremity movement, which was determined by reporting extent of reach, mean and maximum speed during movement, and smoothness of movement.

Results: Sixteen participants (9 women, 7 men) took part in this study, with an average age of 63.38 yr (SD = 12.84). The algorithm was highly accurate in correctly identifying activities, with 87% to 95% accuracy depending on the movement. The algorithm was also able to detect the quality of movement for upper extremity movements.

Conclusions and relevance: The algorithm was able to accurately identify in-kitchen activities performed by adults poststroke. Information about the quality of these movements was also successfully calculated. This algorithm has the potential to supplement clinical assessments in treatment planning and outcomes reporting. Plain-Language Summary: This study shows that clinical algorithms have the potential to inform occupational therapy practice by providing clinically relevant data about the in-home activities of adults poststroke. The algorithm accurately identified activities that were performed in the kitchen by adults poststroke. The algorithm also identified the quality of upper extremity movements of people poststroke who were living at home.