- In this systematic review article, the authors researched studies from various sources to help them evaluate the correlation between data captured by wearable pedometer devices and perioperative outcomes among patients. The authors queried studies in PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science Citation using the search terms “pedometer,” “wearable sensors,” “perioperative,” and their Boolean combinations.
- Of 1412 studies screened, 18 met inclusion criteria for the authors’ review. The included studies contained data obtained during a 60-day perioperative period; specifically, 30 days before surgery to postoperative day number 30. 1615 total patients participated in the 18 included studies, with median patient ages ranging from 32 to 76.
- The authors acknowledged their review had several notable limitations, including heterogeneity across the various studies and an absence of randomized clinical trials.
- Notwithstanding the aforementioned limitations, the authors found that the studies greatly suggest patients with higher step counts in the preoperative and postoperative periods were less likely to experience complications, and that patients who are more active in the early postoperative period spent fewer days in the hospital and had lower rates of readmission.
- Additional large-scale studies are needed to further explore the relationship between step counts and perioperative outcomes. However, given the extensive adoption of wearable devices in recent years, this technology has the potential to provide valuable risk stratification information for perioperative clinicians. Moreover, the utilization of wearable pedometers offers patients a simple way to self-monitor healthy activity levels, enabling them to play a larger role in preoperative optimization and in the reduction of postoperative complications.
Summary of "Utilization of Wearable Pedometer Devices in the Perioperative Period: A Qualitative Systematic Review"
Summary published November 7, 2023
