Analysis of Older Adults in Spanish Care Facilities, Risk of Falling and Daily Activity Using Xiaomi Mi Band 2

Sensors (Basel). 2021 May 11;21(10):3341. doi: 10.3390/s21103341.

Abstract

Background: Presently the use of technological devices such as wearable devices has emerged. Physical activity monitoring with wearable sensors is an easy and non-intrusive approach to encourage preventive care for older adults. It may be useful to follow a continuous assessment of the risk of falling. The objective is to explore the relationship between the daily activity measured by Xiaomi Mi Band 2 and the risk of falling of older adults residing in or attending care facilities.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on three different institutions located in Galicia (autonomous community) (Spain).

Results: A total of 31 older adults were included in the study, with a mean age of 84 ± 8.71 years old. The main findings obtained were that a greater number of steps and distance could be related to a lower probability of falling, of dependency in basic activities of daily living, or of mobility problems.

Conclusions: The importance of focusing on daily steps, intrinsically related to the objective assessment of daily physical activity, is that it is a modifiable factor that impacts different aspects of health and quality of life.

Keywords: daily steps; falls; health-related quality of life; nursing home; occupational therapy; physical activity; remote monitoring; sleep; wearable technology; wristband.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls* / prevention & control
  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life*
  • Spain