Validation of rule-based inference of selected independent activities of daily living

This paper explores the validity of a rule-based inference method of selected independent activities of daily living (ADLs). An inexpensive ADL monitoring system was installed in the community for 37 days to monitor a middle-aged, healthy individual living alone. The subject was given a personal digital assistant (PDA), running custom activity diary software, and asked to record activities in real-time. Rule-based activity inference algorithms were refined on data from 17 days, and data from the remaining 20 days were used for validation. The chi-square statistic was computed for 2 x 2 contingency tables comparing activities detected by the algorithms to user-logged activities. The phi (r(phi)) and Cohen's kappa (kappa) coefficients were computed as measures of correlation. After correcting for subject noncompliance in logging activities, the kappa correlation between the meal detection algorithm and the PDA record was 0.84, with 91% sensitivity, and 100% specificity. Similarly, the kappa correlation between the shower detection algorithm and the PDA record is 0.69, with 67% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The detection algorithms and the sensory data did not miss any main meals or showering activities recorded on the PDA. The results suggest that rule-based algorithms can successfully detect meal preparation and showering activities using simple low-cost detectors. The sensors and detection algorithms reported events not recorded by the occupant on the PDA attributed to reporting noncompliance. Overall, the PDA activity journal was a compromise between paper diaries, which are more time consuming to keep, and may result in higher noncompliance errors, and video recording, which is considered intrusive.