Use of Wearable Activity Trackers during Hospital Stay to Hasten Patient Recovery

Researchers from University of South Australia in Adelaide conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 1911 patients undergoing rehabilitation for stroke or orthopedic related problems, mixed rehabilitation and various surgical and medical patients. The objective was to find out if interventions using wearable activity tracking devices could increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behavior and thereby improve clinical outcomes in hospitalized adults.

Compared to standard care, the use of wearable activity trackers increased overall physical activity with higher daily step counts (826 steps more) and reduced sedentary behavior (-35.46 min daily) among inpatients, which were also the primary study outcomes. They also achieved 10 minutes more of active time daily vs usual care. A significant improvement in physical function was also noted. But no improvement in pain or mental health, the secondary outcomes, was found. Likewise, no significant association was noted for duration of hospitalization or odds of re-hospitalization, which were examined as hospital efficiency outcomes.

Immobility during hospitalization is associated with several complications, which may prolong length of hospital stay and sometimes may be potentially fatal. This study shows that wearing activity trackers helped hospitalized patients to become more active and reduced sedentary behavior thereby hastening patient recovery.

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