Wearable device may improve physical activity after lung cancer surgery

A wearable device could help patients with lung cancer improve their physical activity and recovery outcomes by increasing their daily steps following surgery.

In a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers assigned 74 patients with lung cancer to undergo a wearable device-based intervention — involving a personalized exercise regimen monitored with a wearable device — and results were compared against a historical group of 120 patients who had received standard postoperative care, utilizing data collected earlier.

At two weeks and six months postsurgery, the researchers found that the patients who underwent the wearable device-based intervention experienced smaller reductions in their daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, lower dyspnea scores and reduced pain scores compared with those who underwent standard postoperative care. There were no statistically significant differences in cardiopulmonary function between the two groups.

The findings may aid in the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation program to improve perioperative outcomes in patients with lung cancer.

Read more: JAMA Network Open

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