Optimizing Stroke Rehabilitation: An Evaluation of Accelerometry-Based Physical Activity Intensity Measurement

Physical activity intensity is an underutilized biomarker in stroke rehabilitation, and current methods of measuring it—such as therapy time and self-reported exertion—have limited validity. Therefore, there is a need for more precise assessment tools. This review uses a novel framework to evaluate potential opportunities for using accelerometry to measure physical activity intensity during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

The recently developed V3 and V3 + frameworks outline key evaluation components applicable to accelerometer-based digital health technologies: verification ensures accurate motion data capture, usability validation assesses user-friendliness and effectiveness in real-world scenarios, analytical validation assesses measurement accuracy against reference standards, and clinical validation investigates the association between accelerometer data and pertinent stroke rehabilitation outcomes, such as long-term physical and cognitive function. Existing research suggests that accelerometry could be feasible for physical activity intensity characterization during inpatient stroke rehabilitation, but analytical and clinical validation research is limited. Furthermore, a standardized method should verify that accelerometers reliably capture the target range of physical activity intensities before use in inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Despite promising evidence, further research is needed to delineate the potential utility of accelerometry for physical activity intensity characterization during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.