Estimating older people's physical functioning with automated health monitoring technologies at home: Feature correlations and multivariate analysis

Abstract

As person's functional capacity determines partly one's independency and quality of life, it should be observed and monitored. We calculated different features from actigraphy, bed sensor, pedometer, weight scale and blood pressure monitor over time period varying between one and two weeks. These features' connections to typical functional capacity tests such as ADL, balance and muscle strength were studied. No single feature was connected to all the functioning measures which again suggest importance of screening multiple health data sources. Created multivariate model to estimate holistic functional status has statistically significant correlation with ADL and two lower limb muscle strength tests, and almost statistically significant correlation with balance and walk tests. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.