TELEMEDICINE 2027 Open access

Comparison between objectively measured and self-reported physical activity level in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

O. Crisafulli,1 M. Fortunati,1,2 M. Rubino,1 V. Quintiero,1 G. D’Antona1,3 | 1Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale Attività Motorie e Sportive - Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Voghera; 2Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Tor Vergata, Rome; 3Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy

Authors

Published
28 January 2026
Section
TELEMEDICINE 2027
DOI
10.4081/gimle.755

Abstract

As a factor influencing physical efficiency and health, physical activity level (PAL) quantification can aid clinical evaluation in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Self-reported PAL questionnaires are commonly used, but their accuracy in these patients is unexplored. Ten adults with FSHD were monitored for 7 days using an accelerometer (Fibion Inc., Finland)1 and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)2 for the same period. Weekly minutes for sitting, walking, moderate (MOD) PA, vigorous (VIG) PA, and total PA (walking + MOD + VIG) were compared and correlated between Fibion and IPAQ for the same domains. Sitting time did not differ (p>0.05). IPAQ underestimated walking and total PA (p<0.001; p=0.01, respectively), while overestimated MOD PA (p=0.047). VIG PA was zero in both datasets. Correlations were non-significant (p>0.05). Except for sitting and VIG, self-reported PAL diverges from accelerometer data, supporting objective monitoring in FSHD.

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References

  1. 1. Arumugam A, Raghunathan MRK, Safarini MF, et al. Do COVID-19 recovered individuals differ from healthy controls in accelerometer-measured physical activity and self-reported sleep? a UAE-based study. BMC Public Health 2025;25:3360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24779-6
  2. 2. Andries A, Van Walsem MR, Ørstavik K, Frich JC. Functional Ability and Physical Activity in Hereditary Neuromuscular Diseases. J Neuromuscul Dis 2022;9:437-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JND-210677

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