Using smartphones to capture patient differences in postop physical recovery

Editor's Note

Metrics derived from smartphone accelerometer data can capture differences in postoperative physical recovery in surgical patients, this study finds.

In this analysis of 62 patients, smartphone accelerometer data showed decreases in daily exertional activity in 17 who experienced a postoperative event (eg, complication, reoperation) up to 6 weeks after surgery.

The data also showed that fewer patients with a postoperative event achieved 60 minutes of exertional activity in the first 6 weeks after surgery.

Patient-generated health data captured from smartphone sensors have the potential to better quantify physical outcomes after surgery, the researchers concluded.