About the project

Aim

The aim of “the digital wheelchair project” (DigiW) is develop valid energy expenditure estimation algorithms for wheelchair users and incorporate them in an affordable wearable device, which can be used to track (in)activity and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Work packages

Work package 1: Estimation of energy expenditure during rest and wheelchair-specific free-living activities based on heart rate data and demographical variables. The collected data will be implemented in the algorithm development outlined in WP4.

Work package 2: Identification of rest periods and the type of free-living activity based on the data of inertial measurement units. The collected data will be implemented in the algorithm development outlined in WP4.

Work package 3: Feasibility of collecting data with a reduced multi-sensor set-up and validity of the energy estimation algorithm (developed based on the data of WP1&2) while collecting data during unstandardized rest and free-living activities 24/7.

Work package 4: Continuous development of the energy expenditure estimation algorithms through machine-learning approaches in parallel with conducting WP1-WP3.

Publications

• Doshmanziari, Roya; Aandahl, Håkon Strand; Danielsson, Marius Lyng; Baumgart, Julia Kathrin; Varagnolo, Damiano. (2023) Experiment Design Considerations for Estimating Energy Expenditure during Wheelchair Propulsion. IFAC Papers Online
• Danielsson, M. L., Vergeer, M., Plasqui, G., & Baumgart, JK. (2024). Accuracy of the Apple Watch Series 4 and Fitbit Versa for Assessing Energy Expenditure and Heart Rate of Wheelchair Users During Treadmill Wheelchair Propulsion: Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Formative Research

Dissemination

• Aakervik, Anne Lise. Equipping wheelchairs with smart functionality (available in Norwegian from: https://ntnudiscovery.no/vil-gi-rullestolen-smarte-egenskaper/)