Objective measurement of upper limb activity and mobility during everyday behavior using ambulatory accelerometry: The Upper Limb Activity Monitor

Fabienne C. Schasfoort*, J. B. J. (Hans) Bussmann, Wim L. J. Martens, Henk J. Stam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Ambulatory accelerometry is a technique that allows objective measurement of aspects of everyday human behavior. The aim of our research has been to develop, validate, and apply this technique, which recently resulted in an upper limb activity monitor (ULAM). The ULAM consists of body-mounted acceleration sensors connected to a waist-worn data recorder and allows valid and objective assessment of activity of both upper limbs during performance of also automatically detected mobility-related activities: lying, sitting, standing, walking, cycling, and general movement. The ULAM can be used to determine (limitations of) upper limb activity and mobility in freely moving subjects with upper limb disorders. This article provides a detailed description of its characteristics, summarizes the results of a feasibility study and four application studies in subjects having upper limb complex regional pain syndrome, discusses the most important practical, technical, and methodological issues that were encountered, and describes current and future research projects related to measuring (limitations of) upper limb activity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)439-446
Number of pages8
JournalBehavior Research Methods
Volume38
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2006

Research programs

  • EMC MUSC-01-46-01

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