Application of goal-directed quantitative activity management based on wearable technology in children with...

To evaluate the effectiveness of wearable technology-based, goal-directed quantitative activity management on postoperative recovery in pediatric appendectomy patients using a retrospective cohort design.

A total of 150 pediatric appendectomy patients (July 2024-March 2025) were retrospectively divided into three groups (n = 50 each): Group 1 (conventional care), Group 2 (goal-directed quantitative activity management), and Group 3 (wearable device-assisted goal-directed management). Daily walking distance, time to first ambulation, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, adverse events, and patient satisfaction were compared.

The three groups differed in mean age (P = 0.020); age was therefore adjusted for in all multivariable analyses. Postoperative day 3 walking distances were 979.75 ± 149.42 m (Group 1), 1,433.84 ± 162.63 m (Group 2), and 1,741.21 ± 178.30 m (Group 3) (P < 0.001). Time to first ambulation (18.09 ± 5.02 h vs. 15.13 ± 2.60 h vs. 9.52 ± 2.39 h) and time to first flatus (23.28 ± 5.45 h vs. 17.65 ± 3.71 h vs. 13.17 ± 4.28 h) differed significantly (both P < 0.001). Length of hospital stay decreased from 8.29 ± 1.54 days (Group 1) to 5.60 ± 0.98 days (Group 2) and 4.28 ± 0.58 days (Group 3) (P < 0.001). Adverse event incidence was 30.0% (Group 1), 24.0% (Group 2), and 6.0% (Group 3) (P = 0.008). Satisfaction scores were highest in Group 3 (98.32 ± 1.28), followed by Group 2 (95.26 ± 1.30) and Group 1 (91.59 ± 3.34) (P < 0.001).

Wearable device-assisted, goal-directed quantitative activity management significantly accelerates postoperative recovery, reduces complications, shortens hospital stay by over four days compared to conventional care, and improves patient and family satisfaction in pediatric appendicitis.