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Sedentary Mood – Study II

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Study Diary "Sedentary Mood-Study"

Sedentary Behavior Study

The following article continues our series on "Sedentary Mood-Studies". Throughout the series we'll take you through a course of sedentary behavior studies, describing the process from planning to results. We'll start with the process of capturing the necessary data to examine the link between sedentary behavior and mood. To do this, we'll detail a particular sedentary behavior study to illustrate the idea.

Part 2: Recording mood and sedentary behavior data

When studying sedentary behavior, it's important to select a time frame that provides enough data to analyse. In this case, the researcher chose a five day period in an ambulatory setting to capture data in everyday life. Over this five day period participants received mood assessments several times per day, and had their activity recorded during waking hours.

To capture the participants mood, it's necessary to use an experience sampling method. For this study, the android based experience sampling app movisensXS displayed the short version of the "Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire (MDMQ)" at random intervals. The MDMQ measures the mood in three dimensions - Valence, Energetic Arousal, and Calmness - and was specifically conceptualized for ambulatory studies (see Wilhelm and Schoebi, 2007, p. 259ff.)

Whilst there's no technical device that captures sedentary behavior (see Kang and Rowe, 2015, p.113), the activity sensor serves as the de facto research instrument of choice. Given the abundance of fitness trackers on the market, it's often tempting to purchase inexpensive devices in order to obtain more data points. However, for research grade data it's important to use research grade devices. Whilst that may mean fewer devices and fewer participants, the quality of the data more than compensates.

The Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN, 2017) defines Sedentary Behavior as: "Sedentary behavior is any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture". So in order to obtain an optimal recording, we need to evaluate both body position and energy expenditure.

In the next part of this series, we'll describe how the guidelines for sedentary behavior were met within this study

movisens at the research conference of the DGKJP

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movisens visits Tübingen this week for the 2018 DGKJP research conference. As always, we're looking forward to the presentations and the chance to engage in interesting discussions around the topic of interventions. The conference runs from the 1st to the 2nd of March 2018, and we invite all the participants to stop by our booth over the two days to discuss how we can help them in their research. We'll display our sensors and resources for capturing ambulatory data, and in particular our tools used for intervention studies.

“Sedentary Mood Study”

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Study Diary "Sedentary Mood Study"

The following article begins a "Sedentary Behavior Studies" series, in which we'll detail the study process from conception through to results. We'll focus on the link between sedentary behavior and mood. But first, we need to address an important point.

Why research sedentary behavior?

"Whoever sits longer dies younger" and "Sitting is the new smoking". These headlines come from recent behavioral and health related studies. Due to such conclusions sedentary behavior demands the attention of researchers, and the general public looks on with interest. As the understanding of sedentary behavior and it's consequences develops, further research appears illustrating its adverse effects on cardiovascular health, metabolic and muscular parameters, and it's dire risk for overall physical health (Owen et al., 2010, p.3).

Despite these findings, there's little research on the effect of sedentary behavior on psychological health. Preliminary findings indicate a possible connection between the two. As Fuchs et al. suggest (2015. p. 7) "Sitting changes the activity of metabolism and therefore it doesn´t seem absurd, that this can also influence the psychological processes." If the link between sedentary behaviour and adverse psychological health exists, understanding it would prove valuable in the fight against psychosomatic diseases.

"How do we measure sedentary behavior and mood?" ... to be continued in the next articles

Measuring “Sedentary Behavior” – General recommendations and solutions by movisens

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“Sedentary behavior” is defined as sitting or lying with low energy expenditure (SBRN, 2012). In isolation, energy expenditure provides no reliable information about body posture (e.g. sitting vs. standing), an essential component of assessing sedentary behavior (Holtermann, et al., 2017). Conversley, assessing body posture alone cannot provide insights into energy expenditure, e.g. machine sewing while sitting, crane operators, lifting weights in the gym (Holtermann, et al., 2017). To accurately determine sedentary behaviour requires the assessment of both body posture and energy expenditure.

Reliable methods to measure and assess "sedentary behavior"

  • Case 1: Known environment – e.g. no possibility to stand and all low physical activity ≙ sitting. In this case attaching a sensor at the hip (Move 3) provides only a rough estimation of sedentary behavior.
  • Case 2: Differentiating between sitting/lying & standing. By attaching a sensor (Move 3) to the thigh, the different angles of the axis allow differentiation between sitting/lying and standing. But it is not possible to differentiate between sitting and lying (Byrom, Stratton, McCarthy, & Muelhausen, 2016).
  • Case 3: Assessing changes in time distribution of sedentary behavior – requiring the precise distribution of sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity. This case requires the assessment of both body posture and energy expenditure. This is possible by attaching one sensor (Move 3) at the thigh (sitting/lying vs. standing) and one (Move 3) at the upper body/hip (standing/sitting vs. lying). Additionally, the sensor at the upper body/hip provides the data necessary to estimate energy expenditure (Holtermann, et al., 2017)
  • Case 4: Assessing changes in time distribution of sedentary behavior with a static load. In this case the use of an ecg-sensor provides additional data to assess energy expenditure. Initially the ecg-sensor requires calibration to estimate energy expenditure with additional load. Attaching one sensor (Move 3) at the thigh (sitting/lying vs. standing) and one physical activity and ecg-sensor (EcgMove 3) at the upper body (standing/sitting vs. lying) provides acceleration data from two positions, and the additional ecg-signal allows improved energy expenditure estimations during static work, due to the linear relationship between cardiorespiratory stress and energy expenditure (Holtermann, et al., 2017).
  • Case 5: If an intervention is necessary, or if the research requires additional subjective parameters, we offer the possibility to trigger a questionnaire with our experience sampling platform movisensXS via our SensorTrigger. After the application detects 30 minutes (customizable by the researcher) of sedentary behaviour (<1.5MET) from the sensor, the trigger displays a form on a smartphone app prompting the participant to answer a questionnaire. This offers the possibility to obtain detailed feedback and insights into the daily routine of the study participant.

movisensXS Updates November 2017

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Added Android 7 and 8 Compatibility (Nougat and Oreo)

We updated our whole code base to be compatible with the new android versions.

Log Apps and Lock other Apps now compatible with Android 5+

We have completely rewritten our internal code to make the "Lock other Apps" functionality and the "logging which app is used (beta)" compatible with newer android versions.

Silent mode warning card

In case a participant accidentally puts their smartphone to silent mode we display a warning card on the home screen to let them know that they might miss alarms.

Notification if location tracking was disabled

In case you use location tracking and a participant accidentally disables location tracking we show a notification until the participant activates the location tracking again.

Added log music condition (Beta)

We added a new beta functionality that logs the music your participant listens to. It logs the artist, the album, and the track currently playing. It has been implemented for several android music apps and has been tested with the largest tree: Google Android Player, Amazon Music and Spotify. Let us know, if you want to try it.

Here's even more movisensXS app improvements

  • TimeRangeCondition can now define time ranges that transition days (e.g. 23.00-04.00)
  • You can now explicitly allow and disallow apps
  • The cards on the home screen are now ordered by priority for the participant
  • Fixed the alarm notification to allow the resumption of an incomplete form
  • The inactivity timer on forms is deactivated on several item formats (audio recording, timer, display video, presentation, cognition tests, external). Additionally the inactivity time on forms can be disabled by setting the inactivity time on forms to 0
  • Alarms and forms will be stopped when study is paused
  • Fixed issues that could allow access to the study control screen without a pin code
  • Fixed an issue on selected smartphones that could cause movisensXS to crash when opening a form
  • Barcode item now detects more formats (UPC-A & E, Code 39 & 93 & 128, EAN-8 & 13, QR Code)
  • RTL compatible likert and visual analog scale
  • Updating of server status if device is uncoupled/finished
  • Various bug fixes

And some improvements of beta features

  • Added calendar item and calendar time trigger
  • Added option to limit log apps function to a specified set of apps
  • Display ON/OFF logging now detects shutdown
  • Added presentation item
  • Fixed participant time trigger conflicts with time items and some condition blocks in the sampling
  • New building blocks for the sampling to trigger based on movisens sensors
  • Limiting estimated steps logging to 0-300 steps per minute
  • Retry of uploads after unisens upload fails
  • We fixed time overflow issues with the stopwatch item
  • Notification when location services are disabled but needed

23rd University Day of the German Society of Sport Science

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Only a few days remain until the 23rd Sports Science University Day of the dvs in Munich! This evetnt takes place from 13 to the 15th of September 2017 under the heading "Innovation & Technology in Sport". Renowned scientists shall discuss current topics in sports science, give new insights, introduce research methods and much more! The movisens team looks forward to numerous visitors at our stand, located in the immediate vicinity of the main entrance of the TU Munich, the Immathalle!

Ambulatory Assessment Workshops!

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Curious about the advantages of Ambulatory Assessment, but are unsure how to implement your study? We're now offering one day workshops to answer your questions. From measuring and analysing physiological data like ECG, through to advanced uses of Experience Sampling, we'll explore different themes in each workshop, providing a theoretical and practical understanding to all participants.

Enrol in one of our workshops!

13th Congress of Health Psychology

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The next conference with movisens is on! We're proud to sponsor the 13th Congress on Health Psychology taking place on July 22 to 25, 2017, in Siegen, Germany.

Featuring key notes on the theme of "Health Psychology 4.0 - Conceptual Innovations, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, New Careers" from Jutta Mata, Falko Sniehotta, Ralf Schwarzer and more. The congress promises an interesting look at developments within the field.

At our booth, we present some of the new developments and existing technologies used in Ambulatory Assessment. Drop by and allow us to show you how we can assist you in your research!

15th European Congress of Psychology – with movisens

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From the 11th to the 14th July 2017, the 15th European Congress of Psychology takes place in Amsterdam. Featuring over 2000 participants, the conference will feature keynote speakers discussing the major topic of "Psychology Addressing Society's Greatest Challenges", with a keynote talk from Ulrich Ebner-Priemer from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology on "Monitoring the Dynamics of Real Life Psychopathology Using Ambulatory Assessment" being a particular highlight.

As always, we look forward to all of the interesting talks and lectures that such a gathering of esteemed academics provides, and extend a warm invite to all attendees to drop by our exhibition booth and hear about the latest developments in sensor technology and experience sampling, and of course the integration that can occur to provide Interactive Ambulatory Assessment.

Seminars at movisens

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Thanks to our recent relocation we now have the space to grow our team, and also to offer training here at our own premises! Our new office space allows us to offer seminars in the field of ambulatory assessment/mobile monitoring to researchers and research groups. This allows research teams to undertake basic training in the best methods for gathering physiological and/or experience sampling data and provides a great opportunity to clarify all the important issues they may face in their upcoming study. The training includes both a theoretical and practical component.

If you or your research group would like to attend a training seminar, please contact us at info@movisens.com. We will announce upcoming dates for seminars here on our news page, and via our newsletter which you can subscribe to below. On average we send only one newsletter per month, so it shouldn't hurt your inbox too much!