Measuring activity levels across the day using Philips Health band watches: a case series

Research

Objectives: To compare activity levels in children with Cerebral Palsy across daily routines.

Design: The study design was an AB design. Participants wore Philips Health Band watches for 14 days, 23 hours per day. The watches collected activity count (AC), respiratory rate (RR), total energy expenditure(TEE), active energy expenditure(AEE) and heart rate(HR) . Data analyzed was extracted only the time the child was in school versus when they were in their intensive therapy program (ITP). Setting: The children all attended public high school programs. The children also attended an ITP 2 afternoons per week. The therapy program is located in an outpatient setting. Participants: 3 participants were included in the study. A 20 year old male a 17 year old female, and a 15 year old male all GMFCS level IV. Interventions: The subjects wore the watches for 23 hours a day for 14 days. They attended and participated in their typical school routines as well as attended their ITP. The ITP consists of a 3 hour interdisciplinary therapy session focused on functional skills. Main Outcome Measures: The researchers analyzed data variables including: activity counts(AC) , heart rate(HR), respiratory rate(RR), active energy expenditure(AEE), and total energy expenditure(TEE) specifically in the afternoon timeframe.

Results: Participants showed statistically significant differences in the ITP sessions versus school. For all three subjects, AEE was significantly higher during ITP. One of the three subjects demonstrated significantly higher TEE during ITP, two of the three subjects demonstrated significantly higher HR during ITP, and two of the three subjects demonstrated significantly higher AC during ITP.

Conclusions: The CDC recommends children ages six through seventeen partake in 60 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. However, children with disabilities spend less time throughout their day engaging in physical activity leading to obesity rates two times higher than typical developing peers. In light of the obesity crisis, intentional increased activity is essential. By doing this, we can potentially change health outcomes for children with a disability as they age. Author(s) Disclosures: none