Accelerometers-Embedded Lycra Sleeves to Test Wear Compliance and Upper-Limb Activity in People with Stroke: A Feasibility Study

IntroductionTo establish a possible effect of Lycra sleeves, accurate recording of wear time is critical. The aim of this study was to test whether an accelerometer-embedded Lycra sleeve can measure wear compliance and record upper-limb (UL) movements/activity in people with stroke.MethodsSeven adults with stroke resulting in unilateral UL weakness were approached for participation in this study as a convenience sample, and five participants were recruited. Participants wore accelerometer-embedded Lycra sleeve on their affected arm for 8 to 10 hrs/d for 14 days and were prescribed four simple UL exercises. They completed a diary to record daily sleeve wear time and exercise times. Upper-limb function, shoulder muscle strength, range of movement, and pain were assessed at days 1 and 14.ResultsSeven participants were approached, and five participants (72 +/- 10 years) were recruited. The mean time since stroke was 20 months. Using an acceleration movement threshold of 0.01 g (g = acceleration of gravity) and the constructed algorithm, the sleeve donning and doffing time was identified. The mean accelerometer and diary-recorded wear time were 11.64 hrs/d (SD, 2.64) and 11.27 hrs/d (SD, 2.03), respectively. Individual spikes above threshold indicated UL activity but could not distinguish participant-recorded exercises from daily UL use. Arm function showed improvement in three of five participants.ConclusionsAccelerometers provide a practical method to record wear time of a Lycra sleeve, overcoming the necessity for patients to keep diaries, which can often be unreliable. A more sensitive accelerometer that can detect the direction of the acceleration and movement should be considered in future studies.