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RecruitingNCT05736302ValiDLWUpdated May 4, 2026

Validating a New Machine-Learned Accelerometer Algorithm Using Doubly Labeled Water

An observational study in Movement Disorders and Energy Metabolism, sponsored by University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-04.

Sponsored by University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Mar 2023; still recruiting 3 years 7 months later.
Study type
Observational
Model
Case-only
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
125
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to validate previously developed physical function-clustered specific machine-learned accelerometer algorithms to estimate total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) in individuals with general movement and functional limitations.

Read the detailed description

Current algorithms for examining accelerometer data were developed primarily using data from individuals without movement limitations or impairments. As such, the current available analytic algorithms are inadequate for use with individuals with limitations and impairments to estimate total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). The creation of a new algorithm that can accurately assess TDEE in individuals with movement limitations will be beneficial for future research examining physical activity interventions targeted to these individuals. This study will serve to validate a new algorithm that was developed specifically to analyze accelerometer data for individuals with movement limitations, and gauge the accuracy of the new algorithm's ability to accurately assess TDEE against one of the gold standards of TDEE measurement, the doubly labelled water technique.

Approximately 125 adults, 50 from Colorado, and 75 from Wisconsin, will participate in this study. Participants will complete three study visits. During the first visit, physical function will be assessed during a series of tests, and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan will be performed to obtain information on body composition. During the second visit, the participant will complete a resting metabolic rate (RMR) examination, will consume a dose of doubly labeled water, and will provide urine and saliva samples. At the end of the second visit, participants will be given a set of accelerometers to wear for 8-10 days, and will be asked to complete a wear log for documentation. After 8-10 days have passed, during the final visit, participants will provide additional urine samples and return the accelerometers.

The hypothesis being tested is that physical function-clustered specific machine-learned accelerometer algorithms will produce more accurate and precise estimations of TDEE during free-living compared with healthy population derived accelerometer algorithms applied to diverse populations.

02

Conditions studied

  • Movement Disorders
  • Energy Metabolism

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Keywords

  • Doubly labeled water (DLW)
  • Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
  • Accelerometry
03

In context

Movement Disorders

371 studies on the registry are indexed under Movement Disorders; 102 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 125 is above the median of 67 across 140 observational studies indexed under Movement Disorders.

Browse Movement Disorders studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee is the lead sponsor of 33 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Adults 18+ years of age

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • must be 18+ years of age
  • be able to ambulate on own, unassisted, on a regular basis
  • speak and read English
  • must have access to a working smart phone and a computer with internet access

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • wheelchair reliant
  • assistive walking device reliant (cannot walk for at least 50 feet without an assistive device)
  • diagnosed uncontrolled hypertension (above 160/100 mgHg)
  • diagnosed cognitive impairment or inability to follow study procedures such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia
  • cannot take metabolic altering medications
  • cannot be pregnant
  • cannot be breastfeeding
  • cannot use supplemental oxygen
  • cannot completed required study activities for any reason
  • cannot have a resting heart rate > 100 bpm or a resting blood pressure > 160 mgHg during Visit 1
  • cannot weigh more than 450 lbs
05

Study design

Observational model
Case-only
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
125 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples without dna

Groups and cohorts

  • Individuals without movement limitations

    Individuals who are not classified as impaired or functionally limited per results of physical function testing.

    Other: Doubly-Labeled Water

  • Individuals with impaired movement

    Individuals who are classified as impaired, but not functionally limited per results of physical function testing.

    Other: Doubly-Labeled Water

  • Individuals with impaired movement who are functionally impaired

    Individuals who are classified as impaired and functionally limited per results of physical function testing.

    Other: Doubly-Labeled Water

Interventions

  • OtherDoubly-Labeled Water

    All eligible participants will receive a dose of doubly-labeled water.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Accuracy of accelerometer derived estimations of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE, kcals/day).

    Accelerometer estimations will be derived by different algorithms available in the literature, as well as from a newly developed algorithm that distinguishes between those with and without movement limitations. Accelerometer estimations of TDEE will be compared to those values obtained by the criterion doubly-labeled water technique.

    Time frame: 8-10 days monitoring

  2. Precision of accelerometer derived estimations of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE, kcals/day).

    Accelerometer estimations will be derived by different algorithms available in the literature, as well as from a newly developed algorithm that distinguishes between those with and without movement limitations. Accelerometer estimations of TDEE will be compared to those values obtained by the criterion doubly-labeled water technique.

    Time frame: 8-10 days monitoring

  3. Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) (via DLW)

    Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) over the 8-10 day period as measured by the difference in presence of isotopes in the samples at Visit 3. The 18-O and deuterium exit the body through slightly different mechanisms, so when we examine the difference in levels present at the end of the 8-10 day period between Visit 2 and Visit 3, we can estimate carbon dioxide (CO2) production and hence, energy expenditure. The samples taken at Visit 2 provide the baseline information required to analyze the samples taken at Visit 3 and calculate TDEE.

    Time frame: pre-dose; 4 hours and 5 hours post-dose, and 8-10 days post-dose

Secondary outcomes

  1. Resting Metabolic Rate (kcals/day)

    Basal metabolic rate as determined by fasting RMR test, conducted via Parvomedics TrueOne 2400 Metabolic system. Results include the approximate number of calories an individual would expend if they spent the day in a resting state.

    Time frame: pre-dose

  2. Fat free body mass (g)

    Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurement of body composition, conducted via a Hologic Horizon W system. Results include the amount of fat, bone mineral density, and fat free mass, measured in grams. The fat free mass measurement is used to calculate the dose of doubly labeled water for the participant.

    Time frame: 7-14 days before dose

  3. Modified Physical Performance Test (MPPT)

    The modified physical performance test consists of 9 subtests that are used to assess level of physical function. Total scores range from 0-36. Not frail = 32-36, Mildly frail = 25-31, Moderately frail = 17-24, and less than 17= low function.

    Time frame: 7-14 days before dose

  4. Maximum hand grip strength

    Hand grip is measured via a hand grip dynamometer manufactured by Lafayette Instruments, and is equivalent to the Jamar hand grip dynamometer. The results are measured in lbs, and can range from 0 lbs to 250 lbs. Cut offs for normal hand grip strength vary significantly dependent upon age, sex, country of origin, and BMI. Lower hand grip strength is associated with lower physical function.

    Time frame: 7-14 days before dose

  5. Gait speed

    Gait speed is measured via the 10 meter walk test, with three repetitions of the test at a normal walking speed, and three repetitions of the test at a fast walking speed. A number of different published cut-offs exist for this test, but a cut-off of 1.0 m/sec is recognized as being an indicator of lower physical function. Individuals who ambulate slower than 1.0 m/sec are at risk of not being able to function in the community.

    Time frame: 7-14 days before dose

  6. Temporospatial gait analysis

    Analysis of gait to determine whether anomalies are present via the GAITrite system. Over 50 variables are taken into account in the analysis. These results are compared to standardized norms (sex and age based), and elements of the analysis that are abnormal compared to those norms are indicated in the system output.

    Time frame: 7-14 days before dose

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
    Recruiting
    • Katharine O'Connell Valuch · Contact
    • Scott Strath · Contact
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided — Following completion of the study, all accrued data will be handled and collated in a manner consistent to allow for dissemination of generated data sets to qualified researchers in the scientific community for further analyses and study.

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Started Mar 2023 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Aug 2026, 41 months after the start.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Feb 6, 2023
First posted
Feb 21, 2023
StartActual
Mar 14, 2023
Primary completionEst.
Aug 28, 2026
CompletionEst.
Dec 31, 2026
Last update
May 4, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 4, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05736302
Lead sponsor
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Collaborators
University of Colorado, Denver, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Feb 21, 2023
Start date
Mar 14, 2023
Primary completion
Aug 28, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 31, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
May 4, 2026

Study contacts

Katharine O'Connell Valuch
Contact
oconnell@uwm.edu
414-229-4115
Scott Strath, PhD
Contact
sstrath@uwm.edu
Scott Strath, PhD
principal investigator · University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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