Step count accuracy of StepWatch and FitBit One™ among individuals with a unilateral transtibial amputation.
Elisa S Arch, Jaclyn M Sions, John Horne and 1 others
PMID 29623810WHAT IT FOUND
For people with one transtibial amputation, both StepWatch and FitBit One counted steps well during straight walking.
During turning or stepping tasks, accuracy was worse. In daily life, FitBit usually counted fewer steps than StepWatch.
Key findings
01Both monitors showed excellent accuracy during forward, linear walking, but accuracy was worse during complex walking.
02In the free-living environment, FitBit counted more steps than StepWatch for only 7 of 42 participants, and the absolute percentage difference was 25.3% ± 28.6%.
03The difference between the two monitors in daily step counts was larger for participants with slower self-selected walking speed and shorter 6MWT distance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The sample was limited to adults with unilateral transtibial amputation, so results may not apply to bilateral amputation or other amputation levels. Of 63 scheduled participants, 13 never received the evaluation, and analyzed step-count data came from 31 and 27 participants for forward walking and 17 and 16 participants for complex walking. No healthy comparison group was recruited, so monitor differences could be due to the devices or to this population. Results may only be generalizable to patients walking at 0.95 ± 0.20 m/s or more. Complex walking was assessed with a smaller sample and wider confidence intervals, so that accuracy finding is less certain. Manual step counts were not videotaped, so they could not be double-checked. Monitors were placed on the prosthetic pylon, and FitBit One was placed at the ankle rather than the manufacturer's waist or chest location; different placement may change results. During the 7-day home period, monitors may have migrated or been placed incorrectly.
Declared interests
The only conflict-of-interest statement provided is that Dr Sions is an independent consultant for Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics, Inc.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read FitBit One as interchangeable with StepWatch for daily step counts. FitBit counted more steps than StepWatch for only 7 of 42 participants, and the absolute percentage difference was 25.3% ± 28.6%.