Using+ActiCal+with+PALMS

PALMS accepts ActiCal data in one of two formats:


 * RAW format (.AWC) contains timestamp, accelerometer counts and steps (optional).
 * Epoch-by-Epoch List (.csv) contains two additional fields: activity level classification and estimate of energy expenditure. These fields are computed by the ActiCal software.

To create such an Epoch-by-Epoch file using the ActiCal software, follow the steps below.


 * 1) Open the ActiCal program.
 * 2) Click **File** on the top menu bar.
 * 3) Choose **Load** from the dropdown menu.
 * 4) Browse to your ActiCal database file (.AWC), select it and click the **Open** button.
 * 5) Click **Energy Expenditure** on the top menu bar.
 * 6) Select the appropriate device location and click **OK**.
 * 7) When the window containing the energy expenditure graph appears, click **File** in that window's top menu bar.
 * 8) Choose **Export**, then **Epoch-byEpoch List** from the dropdown menu.
 * 9) Enter the desired file name and click the **Save** button. (Note: you do not need to append .csv to the file name. The program will do so automatically.)


 * Notes:**
 * These instructions were prepared using Version 2.12 of the ActiCal software. Later version may vary. If you cannot file the **Epoch-by-Epoch List** option, please email palms@ucsd.edu for assistance. If possible, please attach a PDF of the user's manual for your software and a sample output file created by the software.
 * When running the PALMS calculation:
 * In the Accelerometer tab, the Activity Intensity Classification Cutoff values need to be changed. (The defaults are for ActiGraph devices.)
 * In the EE Estimate tab, select Device Default as the EE Formula. This will use the EE estimates calculated by the ActiCal software.
 * You can save these change for later use:
 * 1) Click on the **Edit Protocol** link.
 * 2) Click on the **Save As** button.
 * 3) Enter the name of the new protocol. (For example: ActiCal Defaults)
 * 4) Click the **Save** button.
 * 5) The saved protocol can be retrieved at a later session by selecting the protocol from the top **Select a Protocol** dropdown menu.