2 research outputs found
Validation of an activity monitor for children who are partly or completely wheelchair-dependent
Background: Children who are wheelchair-dependent are at risk for developing unfavorable physical behavior; therefore, assessment, monitoring and efforts to improve physical behavior should start early in life. VitaMove is an accelerometer-based activity monitor and can be used to detect and distinguish different categories of physical behavior, including activities performed in a wheelchair and activities using the legs. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the VitaMove activity monitor to quantify physical behavior in children who are partly or completely wheelchair-dependent. Methods: Twelve children with spina bifida (SB) or cerebral palsy (CP) (mean age, 14 ±4 years) performed a series of wheelchair activities (wheelchair protocol) and, if possible, activities using their legs (n = 5, leg protocol). Activities were performed at their own home or school. In children who were completely wheelchair-dependent, VitaMove monitoring consisted of one accelerometer-based recorder attached to the sternum and one to each wrist. For children who were partly ambulatory, an additional recorder was attached to each thigh. Using video-recordings as a reference, primary the total duration of active behavior, including wheeled activity and leg activity, and secondary agreement, sensitivity and specificity scores were determined. Results: Detection of active behaviour with the VitaMove activity monitor showed absolute percentage errors of 6% for the wheelchair protocol and 10% for the leg protocol. For the wheelchair protocol, the mean agreement was 84%, sensitivity was 80% and specificity was 85%. For the leg protocol, the mean agreement was 83%, sensitivity was 78% and specificity was 90%. Validity scores were lower in severely affected children with CP. Conclusions: The VitaMove activity monitor is a valid device to quantify physical behavior in children who are partly or completely wheelchair-dependent, except for severely affected children and for bicycling
Physical activity in wheelchair-using youth with spina bifida: an observational study
Background: Even though typically developing youth are already at risk for physical inactivity, youth with spina
bifida may be even at higher risk as a consequence of their reduced mobility. No objective data is available for
youth with spina bifida who use a manual wheelchair, so the seriousness of the problem is unknown. The purpose
of this observational study was to quantify physical activity in wheelchair-using youth with spina bifida and
evaluate the intensity of activities.
Methods: Fifty-three children and adolescents (5–19 years) with spina bifida who use a manual wheelchair for daily
life, long distances or sports were included. To assess time spent in several types of activities VitaMove data of 34
participants were used and were presented as time spent sedentary and time spent physically active. This was
compared to reference data of typically developing youth. To assess time spent in several intensities Actiheart data
of 36 participants were used. The intensities were categorized according to the American College of Sports
Medicine, ranging from very light intensity to near to maximal intensity. Data of 25 participants were used to
combine type of activity and intensity.
Results: Children and adolescents with spina bifida who use a manual wheelchair were more sedentary (94.3% versus
78.0% per 24 h, p < 0.000) and less physically active (5.0% versus 12.2% per 24 h, p < 0.000) compared to typically
developing peers. Physical activity during weekend days was worse compared to school days; 19% met the Guidelines of
Physical Activity during school days and 8% during weekend days. The intensities per activity varied extensively between
participants.
Conclusions: Children and adolescents with spina bifida who use a manual wheelchair are less physically active and
more sedentary than typically developing youth. The physical activity levels on school days seem to be more favorable
than the physical activity levels on a weekend day. The low levels of physical activity need our attention in pediatric
rehabilitation practice. The different intensities during activities indicate the importance of individually tailored
assessments and interventions