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Use of Wearable Devices to Augment Traditional Measurements of Postoperative Outcomes Following Total Joint
Robert Raymond Hall Iii1, Alexander P Hamel2, Pamela A Chan2
1Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, United States, 1 7733837577.
Background:
Wearable devices enabling remote monitoring by surgeons of their patients have gained prominence around total joint arthroplasty (TJA), offering continuous patient data to identify those not meeting postoperative goals, thereby facilitating timely interventions. While multiple studies highlight the utility of these devices in tracking postoperative progress, a standardized approach to their application is lacking. This review aims to synthesize existing literature on the use of wearable device-tracked activity for monitoring TJA outcomes.
Objective:
We examined the current literature to evaluate how wearable devices are used in monitoring and improving patient rehabilitation and outcomes following TJA.
Methods:
A systematic review was conducted following Cochrane methodology. A literature search of all available literature was performed in April 2024 and identified 102 studies to undergo full-text review. Systematic reviews, duplicate papers, and theoretical papers were excluded. Ultimately, 35 studies met the selection criteria.
Results:
The review revealed that 32 of 35 (91.4%) studies used wearable devices to monitor step counts. A total of 21 (60%) studies incorporated joint-specific patient-reported outcome measures, though the specific measures varied. Further, 9 studies used standardized performance-based outcome measures, which also differed across studies. Finally, 7 (20%) studies collected sleep data; however, the methods and outcomes for sleep measurement were inconsistent among these studies.
Conclusions:
Remote monitoring via wearable devices offers a novel approach to tracking outcomes in TJA patients. Although the use of these devices in perioperative care is expanding, significant variability exists in the data reported across studies. Wearable monitoring is often integrated with patient-reported outcome measures and standardized functional assessments, yet the optimal data parameters that best correlate with established outcome metrics remain undefined. Additionally, data collected by wearables has not yet been shown to predict patient recovery or satisfaction. Further research is essential to refine these data parameters and the development of postoperative protocols that leverage wearable devices to enhance patient compliance and improve clinical outcomes.
