Wrist actigraphy: A simple way to record motor activity in elderly patients with dementia and apathy or aberrant motor behavior

IntroductionIn dementia, behavioral psychological symptoms are frequent and variable.ObjectiveTo assess the value of wrist actigraphy as a measure of disorder in motor behavior especially apathy, aberrant motor behavior, agitation and anxiety.MethodsCross sectional observational study of consecutive patients older than 75 years admitted to an intermediate care unit of a geriatric hospital ward during a two-year period. Psycho behavioral symptoms and cognitive status were assessed using the NPI scale and MMSE and diagnosis of dementia was done using DSMIV criteria. A wrist actigraph was worn for 10 days to record motor activity, sleep time and number of periods of sleep.Results183 patients were included. Among patients with dementia, a significant decrease in motor activity was recorded in those with apathy from 9h to 12h and 18h to 21h (p <0.05) and in those with anxiety from 21h to 24h (p <0.05). Aberrant motor behavior in dementia was associated with a significant increase in motor activity from 21h to 24h (p <0.01). Agitation was not associated with a significant differences in motor activity.ConclusionsWrist actigraphy can be used to record motor activity in elderly patients with dementia especially in those with apathy and aberrant motor behavior.