Recovering in hospital often means patients are naturally more inactive than usual, but too much time in bed can do more harm than good.
To address this patient inactivity, new research led by geriatrician Dr Xiang Loh at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NAHLN) is trialling wearable activity trackers to help patients move more and recover better.
This research has been made possible thanks to a generous grant by The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
“Inactivity outside of therapy sessions can slow recovery and increase length of stay and complication risk,” Dr Loh said.
“There is a need for innovative approaches that address the patient activity levels during a hospital stay.
“Wearable activity trackers will provide clinicians with data that can support and promote active behaviours while patients are hospitalised.”
Dr Loh will test the feasibility of using mobility monitoring among patients at Modbury Hospital by using small, thigh-mounted activity trackers.
Patients will wear the devices throughout their stay, measuring step counts, lying time, sitting time, upright and active time.
“This information will support clinicians to set tailored goals to prompt conversations about movement and embed physical activity into everyday care, making mobility a visible and measurable part of recovery,” Dr Loh explained.
This study will include patients admitted to the hospital’s rehabilitation ward who require monitored and progressive physical rehabilitation.
“Through patient education and engagement, we hope that patients will continue to take ownership of their activity following discharge.”
If successful, this project could be adopted into all hospitals not only across South Australia, but the rest of the country.
