Accelerometery as a measure of modifiable physical activity in high-risk elderly preoperative patients: a prospective observational pilot study

• Published in: BMJ open 2019-11, Vol.9 (11), p.e032346-e032346
• Main Authors: Grimes, Lisa, Outtrim, Joanne G, Griffin, Simon J, Ercole, Ari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerometers; Accelerometry - instrumentation; Aged; Anaesthesia; Exercise; Female; Frail Elderly; Frailty; Gastrointestinal surgery; Humans; Intervention; Male; Methods; Older people; Patients; Physical fitness; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Questionnaires; Self Report; Wearable Electronic Devices
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032346

ObjectivesTo use wrist-worn accelerometers (Axivity AX3) to establish normative physical activity (PA) and acceptability data for the high-risk elderly preoperative population, to assess whether PA could be modified by a prehabilitation intervention as part of routine care, to assess any correlation between accelerometer-measured PA and self-reported PA and to assess the acceptability of wearing wrist-worn accelerometers in this population.Study designProspective, observational, pilot study.SettingSingle National Health Service Hospital.ParticipantsFrail patients≥65 years awaiting major surgery referred to a multidisciplinary preoperative clinic at which they received a routine intervention aimed at improving their PA. 35 patients were recruited. Average age 79.9 years (SD=5.6).Primary outcomesNormative PA data measured as a mean daily Euclidean norm minus one (ENMO) in milli-gravitational units (mg).Secondary outcomesMeasure PA levels (mg) following a routine preoperative intervention. Determine correlation between patient-reported PA (measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) and accelerometer-measured PA (mg). Assess acceptability of wearing a wrist-worn accelerometer measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire and device wear time (hours).ResultsMedian baseline daily PA was 14.3 mg (IQR 9.75–22.04) with an improvement in PA detected following the intervention (median ENMO post intervention 20.91 mg (IQR 14.83–27.53), p=0.022). There was no significant correlation between accelerometer-measured and self-reported PA (baseline ρ=0.162 (p=0.4), post intervention ρ=−0.144 (p=0.5)). We found high acceptability ratings (median score of 10/10 on VAS, IQR 8–10) and wear-time compliance (163.2 hours (IQR 150–167.5) preintervention and 166.1 hours (IQR 162.5–167) post intervention).ConclusionsAccelerometery is acceptable to this population and increases in PA levels measured following an unoptimised routine clinical intervention which indicates that health behavioural change interventions may be successful during the preoperative period. Accelerometers may therefore be a useful tool to design and validate interventions for improving PA in this setting.Trial registration number NCT03737903.