In fall 2015, Pain Consultants of East Tennessee collaborated with Dr. Eric Wade, then an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee, on research exploring wearable movement sensors.
The project examined whether small, watch-sized devices could provide additional information about movement during physical function assessments. Sensors could be worn on areas such as the wrists, ankles, waist, and chest.
Measuring Movement During Functional Activities
The first phase involved 10 volunteer participants who completed five activities:
- Five Times Sit to Stand
- Timed Up and Go
- One-Minute Single-Leg Balance
- Repeated box lifting
- Two-Minute Walk Test
The sensors collected movement data to supplement observations and timing measurements gathered during the activities.
Exploring Applications in Chronic Pain Research
The project aimed to examine movement patterns associated with chronic pain, identify useful sensor placements, and compare sensor measurements with observational assessments.
The work explored how additional measurements might contribute to rehabilitation research and the assessment of physical function. This announcement described an early research project rather than established findings about treatment effectiveness.
To learn more about rehabilitation at PCET, visit our Functional Rehabilitation page or call (865) 579-0552.
