(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010-06)
Lopez, Ricardo A.; Sonenblum, Sharon Eve; Sprigle, Stephen
In this study, a method for the robust detection of manual wheelchair movement with accelerometer-based data logging is used to obtain metrics of wheelchair mobility that complement mean- and total-distance-only based measurements. It is found that these metrics, that include distance, time and number of activity bouts, provide better understanding of everyday use of manual wheelchairs by shedding more light into how users operate their wheelchairs in their daily lives.
(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007)
Harris, Frances; Sonenblum, Sharon Eve; Sprigle, Stephen
This case study compares the differences between complementary methodologies that measure activity and participation in two subjects who use wheeled mobility devices. Data collection consisted of 1) a self-report participation measure for people with mobility disabilities - the Community Participation and Perceived Receptivity Survey (CPPRS) - and 2) a passive instrumentation data-gathering methodology that includes a global positioning system (GPS) data logger, followed by a prompted recall interview (PRI) to confirm GPS data location and query activity purpose. Many of the destination types (e.g., grocery stores) named in the CPPRS were confirmed by GPS/PRI data. Issues affecting subject responses in both methods included ambiguous categories and researcher assumptions about the nature of activity. Differences between self-report and instrumentation data are discussed as they impact understanding activity and community participation among wheeled mobility users and the development of self-report participation instruments.
(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005)
Lankton, Shawn; Sonenblum, Sharon Eve; Sprigle, Stephen; Wolf, Jean; Oliveira, Marcelo
To obtain more accurate quantitative results when monitoring people’s daily activities we have developed a passive data monitoring system. This Wheelchair Activity Monitoring Instrument known as the WhAMI uses odometers, tilt and seat occupancy sensors, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to gather information about wheelchair users’ daily activities. The purpose of this pilot study was to develop and test the WhAMI. Thus far, we have completed data collection on 3 subjects. Our results demonstrate that data from the WhAMI accurately describes the subjects’ community travel, indoor mobility, and use of the tilt-in-space feature. The WhAMI is a valuable tool for collecting this quantitative data, and is designed to be used in combination with self report surveys to paint a complete picture of a subject’s activity and participation.