Use of wearable devices to monitor post-operative activity following cardiac surgery: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Aims: There is an emerging trend of using wearable digital technology to monitor patient activity levels in acute care contexts. However, the overall extent and quality of evidence for their use in acute cardiac surgery care are unclear. The purpose of this systematic scoping review was to evaluate current literature regarding the use of wearable activity trackers/accelerometers to monitor patient activity levels in the first 30 days following cardiac surgery.

Method and results: A systematic scoping review was conducted. A search of CINAHL and MEDLINE Complete databases identified all peer reviewed research evidence published in English between 2010 and 2023. Studies evaluating the use of wearable technology in adults who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and valve replacement were included. Study data were summarized thematically. A total of 853 citations were identified. Once duplicates were removed, 816 studies were screened by title and abstract, 54 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility, and 11 studies were included. Accelerometers were able to capture changing exercise and physical activity levels over an acute care admission. Device use was acceptable to clinicians and patients. Low activity levels in the early post-operative period were associated with longer length of stay and higher 30-day readmissions.

Conclusion: Wearable devices are acceptable and feasible to use in acute care. The use of wearable activity trackers by acute cardiac patients may increase patient participation in exercise and identify more sedentary patients who are a greater risk of increased length of stay and hospital readmission.

Keywords: Cardiac surgery; Cardiac–thoracic nursing; Exercise participation; Exercise rehabilitation; Patent participation; Post-operative recovery; Wearable activity trackers.