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. 2023 Sep;10(9):1688-1694.
doi: 10.1002/acn3.51849. Epub 2023 Aug 3.

Using home monitoring technology to study the effects of traumatic brain injury in older multimorbid adults

Megan E Parkinson  1   2 , Rebecca Doherty  1   3 , Francesca Curtis  1   3 , Eyal Soreq  1 , Helen H L Lai  1   3 , Alina-Irina Serban  1 , Melanie Dani  2 , Michael Fertleman  2 , Payam Barnaghi  1 , David J Sharp  1   3 ; UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research & Technology Research Group  1 ; Lucia M Li  1   3
Collaborators, Affiliations

Using home monitoring technology to study the effects of traumatic brain injury in older multimorbid adults

Megan E Parkinson et al. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Internet of things (IOT) based in-home monitoring systems can passively collect high temporal resolution data in the community, offering valuable insight into the impact of health conditions on patients' day-to-day lives. We used this technology to monitor activity and sleep patterns in older adults recently discharged after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The demographics of TBI are changing, and it is now a leading cause of hospitalisation in older adults. However, research in this population is minimal. We present three cases, showcasing the potential of in-home monitoring systems in understanding and managing early recovery in older adults following TBI.

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Conflict of interest statement

We have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The passive infrared sensors (PIR) (A) measure light temperature and heat. They sense movement up to 9 meters away from the sensor with a view angle of 45 degrees up/down and left/right. In our study, we obtain maximum sensitivity at around 3 m and have set the ‘off‐time’ to 30 sec (sensors detect the prescence or absence of motion every 30 sec). The Withings bed mat (B) passively captures minute‐by‐minute heart rate, respiratory rate and movement using pneumatic sensors. The bed mat is waterproof and is placed out of sight underneath the mattress. The mat was developed in collaboration with sleep physicians at Hôpital Béclère and validated against polysomnograph.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Demographic, injury and clinical information for patients. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The figures above show 6 months of data passively obtained from infrared sensors (PIRs) and the Withings bedmat. The top three diagrams show data from the PIR sensor. Each dot represents movement activating a sensor. The different colour represents sensor activation in different rooms. The y axis shows the week and x axis shows the time of day. The figures are annotated with information obtained from a weekly phone call with the participant or carer. The bottom three raster plots demonstrate bed occupancy, that is, time spent in bed. The y axis shows the week and x axis shows the time of day.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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