Objective: To describe the pattern of step counts of inpatients who undergo a gynecologic surgery
Methods: Minute-level, peri-operative step counts data were gathered from 10 patients who undergo a midline incision, gynecologic surgery. From two day before surgery to discharge day, patients were required to apply a accelerometer (Lifegram, LG) to a wrist (usually at a dominant arm, but not controlled). During a bath and sleep, the patients were allowed to dislodge the accelerometer. Data collected through accelerometers were summarized and visualized using various analytic tools. The association of pattern of step counts with several clinical variables were explored.
Results: Median age was 51 (min 31, max 75); median height was 156 cm (min 151, max 163); median weight was 59 kg (min 46, max 80). The indication of surgery was staging of cancer in most patients. Median time of activity per day was 59 minutes (min 30, max 168). The maximal number of steps per minutes ranged between 59 and 144 (median 129). Patients tend to walk more in the morning than afternoon. Step counts escalated as postoperative day increased, but do not recovered to preoperative level. Patients encouraged to walk exercise more regularly. The pattern of step counts did not different according to age, height and weight.
Conclusion: We successfully describe the pattern of step counts of inpatients who undergo gynecologic surgery. Features extracted from step counts might be used to predict clinical outcomes.