Validation and Reliability of a Digital Platform for Monitoring Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity Levels in Individuals with Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases Post-Hospital Discharge

• Grant number: 23/17966-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Luiz de Russo
• Grantee: Luisa Fernanda García Salazar
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) have a significant economic impact on the Unified Health System due to the high numbers of hospitalizations related to complications. For this reason, various international and national health organizations have developed action plans aimed at prevention, control, and rehabilitation, promoting the well-being of the population and socioeconomic development. In this context, digital health strategies that can integrate hospital discharge and follow-up care in primary and outpatient settings, as well as support self-management, are essential. In Physiotherapy, this strategy allows monitoring sedentary behaviors, levels of physical activity, and providing feedback for breaking unwanted habits. The success of digital health relies, in part, on the interaction with wearable technologies; however, there are still numerous technical aspects linked to the interpretation of generated data and the validity and reliability of measures, especially in populations with NCDs. Recently, our group conducted studies to validate an activity monitoring platform in laboratory conditions and a simulated home environment. However, validation in a real home environment, considering movements in the face of actual physical barriers and personal factors, is still necessary. Objective: To validate and establish the reliability of measures from a digital platform integrated with inertial sensors, radio network, and GPS within the home environment and outdoors for detecting activities in people with NCDs. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study following COSMIN recommendations. Both male and female volunteers diagnosed with any type of NCD who were discharged from the hospital 30 days ago will be included. Data collection will take place at the volunteers' homes, including a clinical assessment to characterize the sample using tests and scales according to the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Inertial sensors and a radio network device will be positioned on the volunteers' bodies, along with a mobile phone with an application providing geolocation information. Recordings of activities performed by volunteers over 24 hours will be considered for validating the information collected by the devices. Validity between variables such as the number of steps, identification of postures (sitting, lying, and standing), and postural changes will be analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and the mean absolute error among sensors, the radio network, video camera recording, and GPS. Reliability will be assessed through the intraclass correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots, and the standard error of the measure.