A Holistic Approach to the Measurement of Physical Function in Clinical Research

In the Karger article “A Holistic Approach to the Measurement of Physical Activity,” VivoSense presents an exciting new framework for assessing physical activity through the implementation of DHTs in the clinical environment.

Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) are revolutionizing clinical research by enabling the practical application of long-standing conceptual models of physical function (PF). Historically, while models like the Person-Environment Fit and the Competence-Press have shaped our understanding of PF, integrating these frameworks into real-world assessments was challenging due to technological limitations. Today, the advent of DHTs bridges this gap by facilitating comprehensive, patient-centered evaluations in the real-world environment.

Wearable devices and mobile health applications allow for continuous, objective monitoring of patients in their natural environments, capturing data on daily activities and behaviors. When combined with electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), which gather subjective insights into patients’ experiences, researchers can attain a nuanced understanding of PF. This integration supports a more informed and personalized decision-making framework in clinical trials.

Ultimately, physical function is a critical determinant of health-related quality of life and is commonly impaired across various diseases. Diminished PF often correlates with decreased quality of life and can be a leading indication of disease progression. By leveraging DHTs to assess PF holistically, clinical researchers can develop interventions that more effectively address patients’ needs, ultimately enhancing trial outcomes and patient well-being.

Below, you can find the full detailed article, which includes examples of the general conceptual models developed for PF, as well as a highlight of the evolution of our understanding of PF.

View the Paper Here