Actigraphy For Breast Cancer

ByJessie P Bakker MS Ph.D., Senior Manager Clinical Trials, Philips Respironics

Actigraphy is the measurement of motion used to monitor 24-hour activity patterns, usually performed with a small accelerometer contained in a watch-like device worn on the wrist or hip. Motion patterns may be displayed as an actogram that shows daily activity and rest periods. The motion data time-series can be analyzed to provide a range of validated endpoints relating to activity, sleep, and circadian rhythms.

The ability to measure motion precisely and continuously through-out a clinical trial, rather than at discrete study visits, allows for the application of advanced statistical techniques to model day-by-day (or night-by-night) changes between arms and over time, increasing statistical power. Actigraphy is non-invasive, meaning that the data reflect the experiences of the study participant undergoing their usual routine in their normal environment.

Read how actigraphy was used in breast cancer studies to track sleep patterns, circadian endpoints as well as using datasets provided to investigate mathematical patterns which may be responsive to pharmacological therapy.