Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome

Purpose: In girls and women with Rett syndrome, we assessed the accuracy of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ and investigated relationships between daily step counts, gross motor skills and age. Method: Twelve subjects (age 12.9 ± 8.0 years) participating in the Australian Rett Syndrome Database wore...

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Main Authors: Downs, Jennepher, Leonard, H., Hill, Kylie
Format: Journal Article
Published: Informa Healthcare 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/49340
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author Downs, Jennepher
Leonard, H.
Hill, Kylie
author_facet Downs, Jennepher
Leonard, H.
Hill, Kylie
author_sort Downs, Jennepher
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Purpose: In girls and women with Rett syndrome, we assessed the accuracy of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ and investigated relationships between daily step counts, gross motor skills and age. Method: Twelve subjects (age 12.9 ± 8.0 years) participating in the Australian Rett Syndrome Database wore a StepWatch during a videoed session of activities to assess agreement with the criterion method of observation. Physical activity data were also collected over the course of 6 ± 1 whole days. Relationships between agreement, gross motor skills, average daily step count and age were analyzed. Results: The number of steps obtained using the StepWatch was similar to that viewed on video (mean difference = 0 steps per minute) and agreement did not differ with the level of general (p = 0.389) or complex gross motor skills (p = 0.221). Subjects were less active than their healthy peers (difference 6086 steps per day; p = 0.001), and physical activity was significantly greater in those who were younger and with greater levels of motor skill. Conclusions: The StepWatch provided accurate information on the physical activity of girls and women with Rett syndrome regardless of their level of gross motor function. Physical activity reduced with age despite the ability to walk. Advocacy for pro-active lifestyles is justified.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-493402017-09-13T16:09:10Z Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome Downs, Jennepher Leonard, H. Hill, Kylie Purpose: In girls and women with Rett syndrome, we assessed the accuracy of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ and investigated relationships between daily step counts, gross motor skills and age. Method: Twelve subjects (age 12.9 ± 8.0 years) participating in the Australian Rett Syndrome Database wore a StepWatch during a videoed session of activities to assess agreement with the criterion method of observation. Physical activity data were also collected over the course of 6 ± 1 whole days. Relationships between agreement, gross motor skills, average daily step count and age were analyzed. Results: The number of steps obtained using the StepWatch was similar to that viewed on video (mean difference = 0 steps per minute) and agreement did not differ with the level of general (p = 0.389) or complex gross motor skills (p = 0.221). Subjects were less active than their healthy peers (difference 6086 steps per day; p = 0.001), and physical activity was significantly greater in those who were younger and with greater levels of motor skill. Conclusions: The StepWatch provided accurate information on the physical activity of girls and women with Rett syndrome regardless of their level of gross motor function. Physical activity reduced with age despite the ability to walk. Advocacy for pro-active lifestyles is justified. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/49340 10.3109/09638288.2011.630773 Informa Healthcare restricted
spellingShingle Downs, Jennepher
Leonard, H.
Hill, Kylie
Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome
title Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome
title_full Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome
title_fullStr Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome
title_short Initial assessment of the StepWatch Activity Monitor™ to measure walking activity in Rett syndrome
title_sort initial assessment of the stepwatch activity monitor™ to measure walking activity in rett syndrome
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/49340