Feasibility Issues with Using Low-Cost Wearable Activity Monitors in Children
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Abstract
Background: Low-cost wearable physical activity monitoring devices (e.g. Fit Bit, Jawbone) are widely available and familiar to end-users, but the platforms are designed for use by single consumers rather than by researchers coordinating multiple users (and devices). The validity and feasibility of using these devices when compared to other instruments used for research (e.g. ActiGraph) is still being established.
Objective: To describe feasibility issues with using Fit Bit monitors in the context of a clinical study involving children.
Methods: The sample consists of overweight and obese children (8 -14 years) in a study of cardiometabolic risk markers. Subjects are recruited from a low-income, inner-city weight management clinic; the planned enrollment total is 50 subjects. As a component of the study, a Fit Bit Zip is synchronized to each patient (or parent’s) smartphone or tablet device. When the subject does not have a compatible device, they are given a log to chart their recorded steps, and the Fit Bit is linked to a device associated with the study for synchronization upon its return. This back-up synchronization is to optimize data capture if the logs are not completed by the child. To protect privacy, anonymous profiles are created with a dummy email that is created by research staff, and patients are instructed to not correct the settings with their actual name or date of birth. Study staff monitor activity remotely by accessing these anonymous profiles. Subjects are asked to wear the Fit Bit for 7 days during waking hours, after which the device is mailed back in a padded envelope.
Results: Of 17 subjects studied thus far, all have had access to at least one smartphone or tablet. However, roughly half (8 patients) have had a device incompatible with Fit Bit (generally older phones). Because of this, the number of subjects participating at the same time is dependent on the number of available back-up study devices. Subjects unable to synchronize their Fit Bit to a personal device have nonetheless had a high level of enthusiasm about the device and related technology, with an unanticipated 100% completion rate of their logs. Loss of devices is naturally a concern with this age group; so far, only one device has been lost (at school). Future results will include details about feasibility of study completion as well as qualitative findings with a subset of the study population.
Conclusions: A variety of options exist for wearable physical activity monitoring. Low-cost devices such as Fit Bit are appealing and acceptable to children, and they hold promise in clinical and research settings. Clinicians and researchers using these devices, however, need to be prepared to address a variety of issues including patient privacy, the mobile devices owned by the subject population for synchronization, and the logistics associated with adapting the user-oriented platform for research.
Objective: To describe feasibility issues with using Fit Bit monitors in the context of a clinical study involving children.
Methods: The sample consists of overweight and obese children (8 -14 years) in a study of cardiometabolic risk markers. Subjects are recruited from a low-income, inner-city weight management clinic; the planned enrollment total is 50 subjects. As a component of the study, a Fit Bit Zip is synchronized to each patient (or parent’s) smartphone or tablet device. When the subject does not have a compatible device, they are given a log to chart their recorded steps, and the Fit Bit is linked to a device associated with the study for synchronization upon its return. This back-up synchronization is to optimize data capture if the logs are not completed by the child. To protect privacy, anonymous profiles are created with a dummy email that is created by research staff, and patients are instructed to not correct the settings with their actual name or date of birth. Study staff monitor activity remotely by accessing these anonymous profiles. Subjects are asked to wear the Fit Bit for 7 days during waking hours, after which the device is mailed back in a padded envelope.
Results: Of 17 subjects studied thus far, all have had access to at least one smartphone or tablet. However, roughly half (8 patients) have had a device incompatible with Fit Bit (generally older phones). Because of this, the number of subjects participating at the same time is dependent on the number of available back-up study devices. Subjects unable to synchronize their Fit Bit to a personal device have nonetheless had a high level of enthusiasm about the device and related technology, with an unanticipated 100% completion rate of their logs. Loss of devices is naturally a concern with this age group; so far, only one device has been lost (at school). Future results will include details about feasibility of study completion as well as qualitative findings with a subset of the study population.
Conclusions: A variety of options exist for wearable physical activity monitoring. Low-cost devices such as Fit Bit are appealing and acceptable to children, and they hold promise in clinical and research settings. Clinicians and researchers using these devices, however, need to be prepared to address a variety of issues including patient privacy, the mobile devices owned by the subject population for synchronization, and the logistics associated with adapting the user-oriented platform for research.
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