Lycra sleeves with embedded-Accelerometers to test wear compliance and upper limb activity in people with stroke: A feasibility study 

Kumar, Praveen; Leake, Jason; Brodie, Shannon; Molton, Jennifer; O'Reilly, Rosie; Pearce, Alex; Steele, Jade; Caleb-Solly, Praminda

Abstract

Background: To establish a possible effect of Lycra sleeves, accurate recording of wear time is critical.
Aim: To test whether an accelerometer-embedded Lycra sleeve can measure wear compliance and record upper-limb (UL) movements/activity in people with stroke
Methods: A convenience sample of seven adults with stroke resulting in unilateral UL weakness were approached. Participants wore accelerometer-embedded Lycra sleeve on their affected arm for 8-10 hrs/day for 14 days and were prescribed four simple upper limb exercises. They completed a diary to record daily sleeve wear-time and exercise times. UL function, shoulder muscle strength, range of movement and pain were assessed at day 1 and 14.
Results: Five participants (72±10 years) were recruited. Mean time since stroke was 20 months. Using an acceleration movement threshold of 0.01g (g=acceleration of gravity) and the constructed algorithm the sleeve donning and doffing time was identified. Mean accelerometer and diary recorded wear time were 11.64 hours/day (SD 2.64) and 11.27 hours/day (SD2.03) hours/day respectively. Individual spikes above threshold indicated UL activity but could not distinguish participant-recorded exercises from daily UL use. Arm function showed improvement in three out of five participants.
Conclusions: Accelerometers provide accurate data on Lycra sleeve wear-time and may help with monitoring adherence.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: CAHPR Oxfordshire and CAHPR Southwest Conference 2021
• Start Date: Oct 5, 2021
• End Date: Oct 5, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 4, 2023
• Keywords: Stroke, Lycra sleeve, accelerometer
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10282886
• Related Public URLs: https://oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/brc-event/cahpr-joint-hub-conference-2021/