Evaluation of Self-Trackers for Use in Telerehabilitation

The increasing prevalence of chronic heart failure requires new and more cost-efficient methods of chronic heart failure treatment. In the search for comprehensive and more cost-effective disease management, the use of self-monitoring devices has become increasingly popular. However, the usability of these wireless self-trackers needs to be evaluated if they are to be successfully implemented within a healthcare system. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usability of six self-tracking devices for use in telerehabilitation of heart failure patients. The devices were evaluated by 22 healthy volunteers who used them for 48 hours. Based on structured interviews, the volunteers rated the devices for their user-friendliness, design, comfort, and motivation. Also, the devices' step count precision was assessed using a treadmill walking test. Of the six devices subject to user tests, the Fitbit One, Fitbit Charge HR, Garmin Vivofit 2, and Beddit Sleep Tracker received significantly higher average scores than the Jawbone UP3 and Jawbone UP24, based on the structured interviews, p < 0.001. The Fitbit One and the Garmin Vivofit 2 received the lowest error percentage rates during the walking tests. The results indicate that in terms of overall usability for telerehabilitation purposes, the most suitable self-tracking devices would be the Fitbit One, Garmin Vivofit 2, and the Fitbit Charge HR.