Article

Aerobic exercise at a subsymptom heart rate has been recommended as
therapy for postconcussion syndrome. Assessing adherence with an accurate heart
rate-monitoring instrument is difficult, limiting the proliferation of
large-scale randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of
the Fitbit Charge HR compared with electrocardiogram (EKG) to monitor heart rate
during a treadmill-based exercise protocol. DESIGN: A methods comparison study.
SETTING: Sports medicine research center within a tertiary care institution.
PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 22 healthy participants (12 female) aged
18-26 years (mean age: 22 +/- 2 years). METHODS: Fitbit Charge HR heart rate
measurements were compared with EKG data concurrently collected while
participants completed the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Agreement between Fitbit Charge HR and EKG was assessed by intraclass
correlation coefficients (ICC3,1), Bland-Altman limits of agreement, and percent
error. RESULTS: We observed a strong single-measure absolute agreement between
Fitbit Charge HR and EKG (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.83; 95%
confidence interval 0.67-0.90). Fitbit Charge HR underestimated heart rate
compared with EKG (mean difference = -6.04 bpm; standard deviation = 10.40 bpm;
Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement = -26.42 to 14.35 bpm). A total of 69.9% of
Fitbit heart rate measurements were within 10% error compared with EKG, and 91.5%
of all heart rate measurements were within 20% error. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
mean bias in measuring heart rate was relatively small, the limits of agreement
between the Fitbit Charge HR and EKG were broad. Thus, the Fitbit Charge HR would
not be a suitable option for monitoring heart rate within a narrow range. For the
purposes of postconcussion exercise therapy, the relatively inexpensive cost,
easy implementation, and low maintenance make Fitbit Charge HR a viable option
for assessing adherence to an exercise program when expensive clinical equipment
is unavailable.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS