JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Consumer wearables can provide a practical and accessible method of data collection in actigraphy research. However, as this area grows, it is becoming increasingly important to be aware of the many challenges and barriers facing the capture of data using this approach.

Objective:

This paper outlines issues encountered with data collection using a consumer wearable activity tracker and includes recommendations to optimise data quality.

Methods:

The Nokia Go was deployed to n=33 elite Gaelic footballers for a planned period of 14 weeks. The Health Mate application was downloaded on the participants personal mobile phones and connected to the Go via Bluetooth. Retrospective evaluation of the researcher and participant experience was conducted through transactional data such as study logs and emails; while the participant experience of study participation was further explored through the design of a 34-question survey.

Results:

Researcher challenges included device disconnection, logistics and monitoring and rectifying of technical issues. Participant challenges included device syncing, loss of the device and wear issues particularly during contact sport. Following disconnection issues, the data collection period was defined as 87 days for which there was 18 remaining participants with an average of 90% wear days. The survey portrayed mainly positive results regarding device comfort, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.

Conclusions:

Although our study did not encounter some of the common published barriers to wearable data collection, our experience was highly affected by technical issues such as disconnection and syncing challenges, practical considerations such as loss of the device, issues with personal mobile phones in the ‘bring your own device’ model and the logistics and resources required to ensure a smooth data collection with a young active cohort.