Method

The DynaPort MT measures 3-dimensional accelerations and angular velocities. These signals are used to identify standing up, turning and sitting down and other events during these actions, such as maximum flexion angle. Finally, maximum angular velocities and angular range of motion of sub-phases are determined.

Research

Recently the instrumented Timed Up & Go (iTUG) module of the DynaPort MoveTest has been used in several research projects. The DynaPort MoveTest has been shown to reliably quantify the sit-to-walk phase with the iTUG Test [1]. Another study demonstrates that several other reliable iTUG parameters can be identified that provide a basis for a more precise and quantitative use of the TUG test in clinical practice [2]. Applied research showed that the DynaPort MoveTest effectively provides measures on sub-phases and kinematic parameters that have the potential to reflect executive physical functioning in Parkinson’s Disease [3] [4] and older adults [5] [6].

Outcomes

TUG Total Duration

Traditionally, only the total duration of the Timed Up & Go is obtained when a stopwatch is used. The total duration is automatically calculated by McRoberts' instrumented TUG Test.

TUG Sub Durations

The TUG can be divided in 6 sub-phases: 2 transitions, 2 walking periods and 2 turns. The durations of these sub-phases are automatically calculated. These sub durations do not necessarily add up to the total time since duration of individual phases can overlap.

Chair Transition Trunk Angles

The degree of flexion and extension of the trunk is calculated for the sit-to-walk and the walk-to-sit transitions.

Chair Transitions Angular Velocity

The amount of momentum generated during flexion and extension of the trunk are calculated for the sit-to-walk and the walk-to-sit transitions.

Chair Transitions Sub Durations

The duration of the dynamic phases of the chair transitions (flexion and extension of the trunk) are calculated.

Maximal Yaw Velocity Turns

Maximal trunk rotation velocity in the horizontal plane (yaw-axis) is calculated for the turns.

1. Walgaard, S., Faber, G. S., van Lummel, R. C., van Dieën, J. H., & Kingma, I. (2016). The Validity of Assessing Temporal Events, Sub-phases and Trunk Kinematics of the Sit-To-Walk Movement in Older Adults Using a Single Inertial Sensor. Journal of Biomechanics, 49(9), 1933-1937. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.03.010
2. van Lummel, R. C., Walgaard, S., Hobert, M. A., Maetzler, W., van Dieën, J. H., Galindo-Garre, F., & Terwee, C. B. (2016). Intra-Rater, Inter-Rater and Test-Retest Reliability of an Instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) Test in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease. PloS one, 11(3), e0151881. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151881
3. van Uem, J. M., Walgaard, S., Ainsworth, E., Hasmann, S. E., Heger, T., Nussbaum, S., Hobert, M. A., Micó-Amigo, E. M., van Lummel, R. C., Berg, D., & Maetzler, W. (2016). Quantitative Timed-Up-and-Go Parameters in Relation to Cognitive Parameters and Health-Related Quality of Life in Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson's Disease. PloS one, 11(4), e0151997. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151997
4. Buchman, A. S., Leurgans, S. E., Weiss, A., VanderHorst, V., Mirelman, A., Dawe, R., Barnes, L. L., Wilson, R. S., Hausdorff, J. M., Bennett, D. A. (2014). Associations between Quantitative Mobility Measures Derived from Components of Conventional Mobility Testing and Parkinsonian Gait in Older Adults. PLoS one, 9(1), e86262. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086262
5. Weiss. A., Mirelman, A., Buchman, A. S., Bennet, D. A., & Hausdorff, J. M. (2013). Using a Body-Fixed Sensor to Identify Subclinical Gait Difficulties in Older Adults with IADL Disability: Maximizing the Output of the Timed Up and Go. PLoS one, 8(7), e68885. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0068885
6. Mirelman, A., Weiss, A., Buchman, A. S., Bennet, D. A., Giladi, N., & Hausdorff, J. M. (2014). Association Between Performance on Timed Up and Go Subtasks and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Further Insights into the Links Between Cognitive and Motor Function. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 62(4), 673-678. doi:10.1111/jgs.12734

Reports