Research Study Abstract

Actigraphic detection of periodic limb movements: development and validation of a potential device-independent algorithm. A proof of concept study

  • Published on June 13, 2019

Study Objectives
We propose a unique device-independent approach to analyze long-term actigraphy signals that can accurately quantify the severity of periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS).

Methods
We analyzed 6–8 hr of bilateral ankle actigraphy data for 166 consecutively consenting patients who simultaneously underwent routine clinical polysomnography. Using the proposed algorithm, we extracted 14 time and frequency features to identify PLMS. These features were then used to train a Naïve–Bayes learning tool which permitted classification of mild vs. severe PLMS (i.e. periodic limb movements [PLM] index less than vs. greater than 15 per hr), as well as classification for four PLM severities (i.e. PLM index < 15, between 15 and 29.9, between 30 and 49.9, and ≥50 movements per hour).

Results
Using the proposed signal analysis technique, coupled with a leave-one-out cross-validation method, we obtained a classification accuracy of 89.6%, a sensitivity of 87.9%, and a specificity of 94.1% when classifying a PLM index less than vs. greater than 15 per hr. For the multiclass classification for the four PLM severities, we obtained a classification accuracy of 85.8%, with a sensitivity of 97.6%, and a specificity of 84.8%.

Conclusions
Our approach to analyzing long-term actigraphy data provides a method that can be used as a screening tool to detect PLMS using actigraphy devices from various manufacturers and will facilitate detection of PLMS in an ambulatory setting.

Author(s)

  • Yashodhan Athavale 1
  • Sridhar Krishnan 1
  • Afsaneh Raissi 2,3,4
  • Nardin Kirolos 2,3,4
  • Trevor Jairam 2,3,4
  • Brian J Murray 2,3,4
  • Mark I Boulos 2,3,4

Institution(s)

  • 1

    Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
  • 2

    Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • 3

    Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • 4

    Sleep Laboratory, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Journal

SLEEP

Categories