The Physical Activity Monitoring system for Aging People (PAMAP): technical specification and clinical trial

The Physical Activity Monitoring system for Aging People (PAMAP): technical specification and clinical trial
Laetitia Fradet, Gabriele Bleser, Nathalie Ville, François Carre, Didier Stricker, Frédéric Marin
Article

Abstract:

Context: Physical activity has many physiological advantages. It reduces the risk for diseases and is the basis for better rehabilitation during and after severe diseases. The nature of physical activity can be categorized as aerobic activity or strength exercises. Objective: Resulting from the gerontechnology, the PAMAP system is a modular system that enables the accurate monitoring of the physical activities of aging people. It allows monitoring of users during their daily activities. Method: The system guides the user at home through a personalized exercise program. By means of a wearable sensor network, it enables capturing the user’s motions. Clinical trials were conducted in 30 elderly people in order to evaluate the usability of the system at hospital and at home. Results: The reliability to the use is demonstrated as well as users’ satisfaction. Discussion: Although gerontechnology is a new approach, the PAMAP project did not remain a simple concept but it was used in clinical applications.Conclusion: The PAMAP system showed to be a concrete application of gerontechnology not only for users, but also for the medical staff. It gave a vision of future tools and potential innovation to optimize home care and promote physical activity.