A Technology Based Model for Physical Capacity (gait- speed, balance and aerobic) Measurement in Older People with Diabetes

Diabetes is a risk factor for physical disability reduced physical capacity and sarcopenia.

The aim of this research was to develop a novel parameter indicative of the physical capacity of the older person with diabetes. This parameter would allow tailoring of a personalized treatment strategy aimed at preservation of physical capacity, maintenance of functional state and improvement of quality of life.

Using the built-in accelerometer & gyro of a regular mobile phone, an individual’s ongoing movement data was collected to a SW platform. Subjects were asked to attend 2 sessions one week apart. In the 1st visit they were provided with the application on their cell phone & an ActiGraph accelerometer device for the whole week. In the 1st & 2nd visit a comprehensive assessment conducted by a physiotherapist including gait speed, balance & aerobic capacity was conducted.

This analysis pertains to the first 31 older people with diabetes that were recruited. 42 independent features were created from the accelerometer readings (XYZ). Correlation analysis to find statistically significant features associated with the scores on the physical assessment tools was conducted using stepwise multi linear regression model to estimate the proportion of the variance in participants’ physical capacity indices explained by the accelerometer readings (R2). The following table depicts these preliminary results :

*p<0.05

The larger planned cohort will allow further validation of these results.