Characterising physical activity patterns in community-dwelling older adults using digital phenotyping: a 2-week observational study protocol.

Journal: BMJ open
Published Date:

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is crucial for older adults' well-being and mitigating health risks. Encouraging active lifestyles requires a deeper understanding of the factors influencing PA, which conventional approaches often overlook by assuming stability in these determinants over time. However, individual-level determinants fluctuate over time in real-world settings. Digital phenotyping (DP), employing data from personal digital devices, enables continuous, real-time quantification of behaviour in natural settings. This approach offers ecological and dynamic assessments into factors shaping individual PA patterns within their real-world context. This paper presents a study protocol for the DP of PA behaviour among community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above.

Authors

  • Kim Daniels
    Centre of Expertise in Care Innovation, Department of PXL-Healthcare, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium kim.daniels@pxl.be.
  • Sharona Vonck
    Centre of Expertise in Care Innovation, Department of PXL-Healthcare, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium.
  • Jolien Robijns
    Centre of Expertise in Care Innovation, Department of PXL-Healthcare, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium.
  • Annemie Spooren
    d Centre of Expertise - Care in Innovation , PXL University College , Hasselt , Belgium.
  • Dominique Hansen
    REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
  • Bruno Bonnechère
    Centre of Expertise in Care Innovation, Department of PXL-Healthcare, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium.