A recent study evaluated the step count accuracy of two activity monitors among individuals with a unilateral transtibial amputation during forward-linear and complex walking and in the free-living environment. The results, published April 6 in Prosthetics and Orthotics International, showed that both monitors, the Modus Health StepWatch and the Fitbit One accurately counted the participants’ steps during forward-linear walking. The authors concluded that StepWatch appears to be more accurate than Fitbit during complex walking, but a larger sample size may be necessary to confirm the findings. Fitbit consistently counted fewer steps than StepWatch during free-living walking.
The study’s participants, adults who each had a unilateral transtibial amputation and used a prosthesis, were equipped with both monitors. Testing included an in-clinic evaluation during forward linear and complex walking followed by a seven-day step count evaluation in the free-living environment. The researchers found that both monitors showed excellent accuracy during forward-linear walking, with a percentage error of 4.3-6.2 percent. During complex walking, percentage errors were higher (13-15.5 percent). In the free-living environment, the absolute percentage difference between monitor counts was 25.4 percent, but the counts had a nearly perfect linear relationship, according to the study.
To read more about step activity monitoring among prosthesis users, visit “Accelerating Outcomes Measurement in Clinical Practice With Fitbit,” and “Counterpoint: Step Activity Monitoring for The Purpose of Personal Information Compared to Health And Scientific Records” in The O&P EDGE.
