04/22/2025
Physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of health, yet its meaningful aspects extend far beyond traditional mobility measures. The latest DATAcc by DiMe study has explored this critical area through qualitative research, uncovering five key aspects of PA that truly matter to patients across a range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, chronic heart failure, and more.
The findings suggest that, in addition to ambulation (walking), meaningful PA includes:
🚶♂️ Ambulation (walking)
🏋️♀️ Balance-dependent activities
💪 Upper limb function
🏃♀️ High-intensity exercise
🔄 Bending and changing body positions
These insights go beyond simple movement and highlight the diversity of activities important to patients, from walking to lifting, and from maintaining balance to engaging in intense exercises. This research also lays the foundation for the development of digital health technologies (DHTs) that capture PA data in real-world settings, enhancing the ability to monitor and assess how patients engage in daily life. 📱
By identifying these meaningful aspects, the study opens new opportunities to refine DHTs and patient-focused endpoints in trials, ultimately improving care and therapeutic development. These findings will help shape the future of PA measurement, making it more personalized and effective.
🔗 Check out the full study to learn how these findings can help transform the way we approach physical activity in healthcare: https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cts.70191
