Wearable technology and measurement of outcomes from lumbar spondylolisthesis surgery

Abstract

Accurate assessment markers are crucial in the management of lumbar spondylolisthesis, particularly after surgical intervention. Traditional methods to track surgical outcomes primarily rely on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which capture patients’ perspectives on their health and recovery. However, PROMs are subjective and susceptible to bias, affecting their reliability. To overcome these limitations, wearable devices have emerged as valuable tools for tracking real-life mobility and objectively assessing surgical outcomes. These devices provide continuous, remote collection of various health metrics and have been shown to have high efficacy and patient compliance. This chapter reviews the current landscape of combining wearable technology data and PROMs in assessing lumbar surgery outcomes, with a focus on spondylolisthesis patients. Both objective physical activity data and subjective clinical scores demonstrate similar trends in postoperative recovery. However, attempts to correlate these metrics have produced mixed results due to the variation in devices and PROMs used. Establishing standardized protocols for wearable usage and data reporting is crucial for maximizing their utility in monitoring spine patients effectively. Overall, integrating wearable technology with PROMs holds significant potential to enhance postoperative monitoring, improve personalized care, and optimize patient recovery. Future applications may involve predicting outcomes and tailoring interventions based on objective activity data in the early postoperative stage, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and improved healthcare delivery.