Wearable mobile health device for monitoring postoperative ambulation among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgery: A prospective comparison study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using mHealth devices for monitoring postoperative ambulation among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Methods: Patients with colorectal cancer undergoing MIS were prospectively recruited to wear mHealth devices for recording postoperative ambulation between October 2018 and January 2021. The primary outcome was the compliance by evaluating the weekly submission rate of step counts. The secondary outcome was the association of weekly step counts and postoperative length of stay. Results: Of 107 eligible patients, 53 patients wore mHealth devices, whereas 54 patients did not. The average weekly submission rate was 72.6% for the first month after surgery. The total step counts <4000 or >10 000 in the postoperative week one were negatively associated with postoperative length of stay (β = −2.874, p = 0.038). Conclusions: mHealth devices provide an objective assessment of postoperative ambulation among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing MIS. Clinical trial registration: NCT03277235.