Abstract
Objective To assess the feasibility of using an infrared-based Real-Time Location System (RTLS) for measuring patient ambulation in a 2-minute walk test (2MWT) by comparing the distance walked and the Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility (JH-HLM) score to clinician observation as a criterion standard. Design Criterion standard validation study. Setting Inpatient, university hospital. Participants Patients (N=25) in an adult neuroscience/brain rescue unit. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures RTLS and clinician-reported ambulation distance in feet, and JH-HLM score on an 8-point ordinal scale. Results The RTLS ambulation distance for the 25 patients in the 2MWT was between 68 and 516ft. The mean difference between clinician-reported and RTLS ambulation distance was 8.4±11.7ft (2.7%±4.6%). The correlation between clinician-reported and RTLS ambulation distance was 97.9% (P<.01). The clinician-reported ambulation distance for 2 patients was +100ft and −99ft compared with the RTLS distance, implying clinician error in counting the number of laps (98ft). The correlation between the RTLS distance and clinician-reported distance excluding these 2 patients is 99.8% (P<.01). The accuracy of the RTLS for assessment of JH-HLM score for all 25 patients was 96%. The average patient speed obtained from RTLS data varied between 0.4 and 3.0mph. Conclusions The RTLS is able to accurately measure patient ambulation and calculate JH-HLM for a 2MWT when compared with clinician observation as the criterion standard.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1366-1373.e1 |
Journal | Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation |
Volume | 98 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2017 |
Keywords
- Rehabilitation
- Walk test
- Walking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rehabilitation
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation