ORCID

Abstract

BackgroundWrist-worn activity monitors may provide a novel cost-effective method to risk stratify patients before surgery as well as instigate and monitor both prehabilitation and rehabilitation to improve patient fitness and therefore perioperative outcomes. This may address a number of key issues facing the health of the expanding perioperative population. However, a baseline dataset using smartwatches is urgently required before interventional strategies can be robustly developed.AimsTo pilot the use of wrist-worn consumer smartwatches in participants undergoing major surgery. To assess feasibility of their use and direct methodology for a future large cohort study. This will be used to assess the clinical utility of these watches in future research.MethodsA UK university hospital-based, 50 participant pilot study, using Garmin Vivofit 4 smartwatches. Participants undergoing major abdominal surgery will wear watches 2 weeks prior, and 4 weeks following, their surgery. Primary outcomes will assess feasibility including; proportion of eligible patients recruited, watch wear compliance and secondary outcome data collection. Secondary outcomes will include the smartwatch data itself and assessments of postoperative outcome.ConclusionThe data generated will underpin future funding applications with the aim to provide the key observational dataset required for robust integration of smartwatches into perioperative care.

Publication Date

2025-03-25

Publication Title

F1000Research

Deposit Date

2025-10-07

Funding

Funded by the Association of Anaesthetists Great Britain and Northern Island. Grant Number: NIAA24R105.

Keywords

smart watch, activity, abdominal surgery, Perioperative care

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