Professor
Hagen Schmal
Department of Orthopaedics, Odense University Hospital
Projekt styring | ||
Projekt status | Closed | |
Data indsamlingsdatoer | ||
Start | 01.03.2016 | |
Slut | 01.03.2019 | |
Elderly patients commonly suffer from proximal femoral fractures. These injuries are associated with a high mortality, however, objective tools to observe the recovery process are lacking. Physical activity is recognized as the key for the recuperation process. Therefore, we hypothesize that activity trackers can reliably monitor the early postoperative follow-up. Standardized step counts are recorded using wearables and analyzed in association with epidemiological characteristics. This facilitates the development of a management-suited reporting system. The regular use of wearables can be part of an individualized treatment coordination in future and add a safety feature.
Proximal femoral fractures are common in elderly patients and are associated with a high mortality of around 25-30% within the first year. This is determined by a variety of factors as co-morbidity and age, which cannot or only partially be altered. An influenceable key factor for a successful re-integration into normal life is the recovery of mobility. If patients succeed to regain their physical activity, they have a higher chance to survive. Unfortunately, an increased age is often accompanied by a decrease of mental capabilities, which makes it difficult to correctly assess the true health and physical status of these elderly patients. Therefore, typical questionnaires as the Oswestry Disability Index or the Euroqol 5D have limited capacities to evaluate this population. Activity trackers that are also known as step counters or wearables have recently been obtained growing interest for surveillance of motion and physical action and have been successfully validated in young people. They were found to be reliable tools for activity measurements, although differences between various manufacturers were found. Until now, a validation for older people and for postoperative monitoring is lacking. Since clinical trials in the elderly are in need of objective evaluation parameters, which can easily be obtained and are not dependent on an active cooperation, activity trackers appear to be ideal tools for this special population. We hypothesize that wearables are able to monitor activity in the elderly and supply personalized information about the need of training and the degree of recovery. Therefore, these devices add a safety feature by controlling individual needs. The level of physical performance is very different comparing young and active with elderly people. This makes it necessary to validate the suitability of activity trackers for this population and to adjust the categories for e.g. low, middle or high activity. In future, activity trackers offer the possibility for an objective evaluation of different operative treatment options that aim to increase mobility, which is in line with personalized concepts and resources oriented therapies.
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Timepoint 1 (Day 0)
Department of Orthopædics and Traumatology, Odense University Hospital