The Effect of Using Wearables on Patient Engagement in Post‑Stroke Rehabilitation
Contact: Annemarie Uhlig, Fatemeh Sardadvar
Die deutsche Übersetzung finden Sie hier.
The Sensor S study is a collaborative research project between Data4Life , the Department of Neurology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and the Brandenburgklinik Berlin‑Brandenburg. The study focuses on the early rehabilitation phase of stroke patients.
The goal of the study is to develop innovative and digital rehabilitation therapies for stroke patients by employing wearable sensors and smartphones to support them throughout their recovery. A central aim is to actively engage patients in their own rehabilitation process, thereby increasing motivation, therapy adherence, and overall activity.
In total, 156 stroke patients will be recruited in Berlin and Brandenburg. The study team randomly assigns participants to one of two groups. The first group receives standard stroke therapy. The second group receives standard therapy supplemented by a mobile application and wearable devices. Patients may use their own smartphones or receive a device provided by the study team. The wearable technologies include a smartwatch, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
Throughout the study, the smartwatch and CGM continuously and passively collect data. Standardized assessments and questionnaires gather additional data. The recorded data enable personalized feedback based on individual health metrics. The IMU data allow real‑time gait analysis to evaluate the progress of rehabilitation. Overall, continuous data collection supports clinical personnel in optimizing therapy approaches and increases patient motivation.
The study is conducted over six months and consists of two phases:
- Phase 1: Use of the sensors during the inpatient clinical stay
- Phase 2: Use of the sensors after discharge, for example, at home
At the end of the study, the two groups will be compared regarding their motivation and therapy adherence using standardized questionnaires.