1. Introduction
stroke, disability, sub-acute stroke
STROKE
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and explore the efficacy of the Arm Activity Tracker (AAT). The AAT is a device based on wrist-worn accelerometers that provides visual and tactile feedback to stimulate daily life upper extremity (UE) activity in stroke patients. Methods: A randomised, crossover within-subject study was conducted in sub-acute stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation centre. Feasibility encompassed (1) adherence: the dropout rate and the number of participants with insufficient AAT data collection; (2) acceptance: the technology acceptance model (range: 7–112) and (3) usability: the system usability scale (range: 0–100). A two-way ANOVA was used to estimate the difference between the baseline, intervention and control conditions for (1) paretic UE activity and (2) UE activity ratio. Results: Seventeen stroke patients were included. A 29% dropout rate was observed, and two participants had insufficient data collection. Participants who adhered to the study reported good acceptance (median (IQR): 94 (77–111)) and usability (median (IQR): 77.5 (75–78.5)-). We found small to medium effect sizes favouring the intervention condition for paretic UE activity (ηStrokes are a significant cause of disability worldwide [A renowned high-intensity exercise therapy to improve UE activities and prevent or treat non-use by stimulating UE use in daily life is constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) [Wearable activity trackers are well-established tools for real-time UE activity tracking in stroke patients [Therefore, we developed the Arm Activity Tracker (AAT) based on a user-centred approach involving stroke patients, therapists, and clinicians. The AAT is based on a previously developed activity detection device [This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the AAT in three domains: (1) treatment adherence, (2) user acceptance and, (3) usability of the AAT when integrated into conventional UE rehabilitation treatment in stroke patients. Secondarily, we explored the efficacy of the AAT for improving paretic UE activity and UE activity ratio during the treatment period.