A scoping review of interventions using accelerometers to measure physical activity or sedentary behaviour during hospitalization

Abstract

Objective: To identify interventions using wearable accelerometers to measure physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour in adults during hospitalization for an acute medical/surgical condition. Data sources: Four databases were searched in August 2019 (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, EMBASE). Review methods: Studies were selected if they described an intervention in adults with a medical/surgical condition, and concurrently reported an accelerometer-derived measure of physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour while participants were admitted. Items were screened for eligibility in duplicate. Included studies were synthesized to describe intervention types, feasibility and potential effectiveness. Results: Twenty-two studies were included, reporting on 3357 participants (2040 with accelerometer data). Identified types of interventions were: pre-habilitation ( n = 2) exercise ( n = 3), patient behaviour change with self-monitoring ( n = 6), models of care ( n = 5), implementing system change ( n = 2), surgical technique ( n = 2) patients wearing day clothes ( n = 1) and education about activity in hospital ( n = 1). Of 16 studies that reported intervention effects on physical activity, 11 reported a favourable impact including studies of: pre-habilitation, self-monitoring (accelerometry or an activity whiteboard), physiotherapy, an early mobility bundle, minimally invasive surgery, an education booklet and by implementing system change. Of the six studies that reported intervention effects on sedentary behaviour, there was a favourable impact with an activity whiteboard, models of care and an education booklet. Conclusion: Accelerometer-derived measures of physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour have been used to describe sample characteristics and intervention effects in studies of hospitalized adults. Interventions may involve a range of health professionals, but less is known about sedentary behaviour in this setting.

Behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity in hospitalised patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

“…Despite using rigorous search methods, we did not search for grey literature and, therefore, our review may not be representative of all relevant research in the field. There are other interventions, besides behaviour change, that could increase physical activity such as supervised exercise and activity programs [ 65 ]. In a review of reviews, there was no evidence that multi-component interventions targeting behaviour change among health care professionals were more effective than single component programs [ 66 ].…”

Patient‐centred measurement of recovery from day‐case surgery using wrist worn accelerometers: a pilot and feasibility study*

“…. .future research would benefit from consistency in measurement methods and agreement on the most crucial types of outcomes to measure" [37].…”

Consumer Wearables for Patient Monitoring in Otolaryngology: A State of the Art Review

“…53 Nonetheless, the use of consumer wearables for assessment and promotion of physical activity among otolaryngology patients remains a clear avenue for future research. 37,54…”