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Using accelerometers to characterize recovery after surgery in children
Hassan Mk Ghomrawi1, Lauren M Baumann2, Soyang Kwon3
1Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine; Center for Healthcare Studies, Northwestern University.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|November 3, 2017
Summary
Wearable accelerometers objectively measure pediatric surgical recovery. Physical activity recovery trajectories differ between inpatient and outpatient procedures, offering a new tool for monitoring recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Wearable Technology
- Activity Monitoring
Background:
- Postoperative recovery assessment in children is subjective.
- Wearable technology offers objective monitoring of pediatric surgical recovery.
- This pilot study evaluates accelerometer use for assessing recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate accelerometer acceptability in pediatric surgical patients.
- Characterize physical activity recovery trajectories using accelerometer data.
- Determine if adverse events correlate with decreased physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Children aged 3-18 undergoing elective surgery wore accelerometers pre- and postoperatively.
- Measured light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in minutes/day.
- Calculated postoperative activity as a percentage of preoperative levels to create recovery trajectories.
Main Results:
- 25 pediatric surgical patients completed the study.
- Outpatients: LPA recovered by POD 7, MVPA peaked at 90% on POD 8.
- Inpatients: LPA peaked at 70% on POD 11, MVPA at 53% on POD 10.
- Two patients with adverse events showed decreased activity.
Conclusions:
- Accelerometer monitoring is feasible for pediatric surgical patients.
- Inpatient and outpatient recovery trajectories differ significantly.
- Accelerometers provide a potential tool for objective assessment and management of pediatric surgical recovery.
