Methods for combining continuously measured glucose and activity data in people with Type 2 diabetes: challenges and solutions

Aims: To present the novel application of combining continuously measured glucose with continuous accelerometer measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour data and discusses the principles used and challenges faced in combining and analysing these two sets of data in the context of diabetes management.
Methods: The background and rationale for exploring glucose, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in people with Type 2 diabetes is presented, the paper outlines the technologies used, the individual data extraction and finally the combined data analysis. A case study approach is used to illustrate the application of the combined data processing and analysis.
Results: The data analytic principles used could be transferred to different conditions where continuous data sets are being combined to help individuals or health professionals better manage and care for people with long term conditions.
Conclusions: Future work should focus on generating validated techniques to visualise combined data sets and explore ways to present data back to the individual in an effective way to support health care management and rehabilitation.