Usage of Accelerometers in Home Care for multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Pervasive Computing is developing fast and is presenting new opportunities for medical care. Unfortunately, technology selection and adoption in the healthcare sector and by physicians is typically an intricate process. Exemplified by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) this paper describes the assessment of a dedicated PC technology with respect to medical usefulness in real life applicability. MS is a chronic disease that typically affects the patient’s mobility and quality of life. Triaxial accelerometers can be used to gain more information about the particular state of the disability. This technology can provide medical staff with objective and more comprehensive information. We present the design of a real life experiment and how the evaluation is designed to analyse the technology’s developmental status, its acceptance, and its medical usefulness.