A Novel, Wearable Inertial Measurement Unit for Stroke Survivors: Validity, Acceptability, and Usability

Abstract

Objective: To establish the concurrent validity, acceptability, and sensor optimization of a consumer-grade, wearable, multi-sensor system to capture quantity and quality metrics of mobility and upper limb movements in stroke survivors. Design: Single-session, cross-sectional. Setting: Clinical research laboratory. Participants: Thirty chronic stroke survivors (age 57 (10) years; 33% female) with mild to severe motor impairments participated. Interventions: Not Applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Participants donned 5 sensors and performed standardized assessments of mobility and upper limb (UL) movement. True/false, positive/negative time in active movement for the UL were calculated and compared to criterion-standards using an accuracy rate. Bland-Altman plots and linear regression models were used to establish concurrent validity of UL movement counts, step counts, and stance time symmetry of MiGo against established criterion-standard measures. Acceptability and sensor optimization were assessed through an end-user survey and decision matrix. Results: Mobility metrics showed excellent association with criterion-standards for step counts (video: r=0.988, P