Actigraphy: Analyzing patient movement

Grap, Mary Jo; Hamilton, Virginia A.; McNallen, Ann; Ketchum, Jessica M.; Best, Al M.; Isti Arief, Nyimas Y.; Wetzel, Paul A.

doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2009.12.013

« Previous Next »Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 40, Issue 3 , Pages e52-e59, May 2011

Actigraphy: Analyzing patient movement

Mary Jo Grap, RN, PhD, ACNP, FAAN
- Adult Health and Nursing Systems Department, School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Corresponding author: Mary Jo Grap, RN, PhD, ACNP, FAAN, School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980567, 1100 East Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23219.
Virginia A. Hamilton, RN, MS, FNP
- Adult Health and Nursing Systems Department, School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Ann McNallen, RN, MS
- Adult Health and Nursing Systems Department, School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Jessica M. Ketchum, PhD
- Biostatistics Department, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Al M. Best, PhD
- Biostatistics Department, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Nyimas Y. Isti Arief, MS
- Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Paul A. Wetzel, PhD
- Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.

published online 19 August 2010.

Background

Actigraphic data during simulated participant movements were evaluated to differentiate among patient behavior states.

Methods

Arm and leg actigraphic data were collected on 30 volunteers who simulated 3 behavioral states (calm, restless, agitated) for 10 minutes; counts of observed participant movements (head, torso, extremities) were documented.

Results

The mean age of participants was 34.7 years, and 60% were female. Average movement was significantly different among the states (P < .0001; calm [mean = .48], restless [mean = 2.16], agitated [mean = 3.75]). Mean actigraphic measures were significantly different among states for both arm (P < .0001; calm [mean = 6.8], restless [mean = 28.5], agitated [mean = 52.6]) and leg (P < .0001; calm [mean = 3.5], restless [mean = 18.7], agitated [mean = 37.7]).

Conclusion

Distinct levels of behavioral states were successfully simulated. Actigraphic data can provide an objective indicator of patient activity over a variety of behavioral states, and these data may offer a standard for comparison among these states.