Monitoring postures and motions of hospitalized patients using sensor technology: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Sensor technology could provide solutions to monitor postures and motions and to help hospital patients reach their rehabilitation goals with minimal supervision. Synthesized information on device applications and methodology is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of device applications and methodological approaches to monitor postures and motions in hospitalized patients using sensor technology.

METHODS

A systematic search of Embase, Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar was completed in February 2023 and updated in March 2024. Included studies described populations of hospitalized adults with short admission periods and interventions that use sensor technology to objectively monitor postures and motions. Study selection was performed by two authors independently of each other. Data extraction and narrative analysis focused on the applications and methodological approaches of included articles using a personalized standard form to extract information on device, measurement and analysis characteristics of included studies and analyse frequencies and usage.

RESULTS

A total of 15.032 articles were found and 49 articles met the inclusion criteria. Devices were most often applied in older adults ( = 14), patients awaiting or after surgery ( = 14), and stroke ( = 6). The main goals were gaining insight into patient physical behavioural patterns ( = 19) and investigating physical behaviour in relation to other parameters such as muscle strength or hospital length of stay ( = 18). The studies had heterogeneous study designs and lacked completeness in reporting on device settings, data analysis, and algorithms. Information on device settings, data analysis, and algorithms was poorly reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies on monitoring postures and motions are heterogeneous in their population, applications and methodological approaches. More uniformity and transparency in methodology and study reporting would improve reproducibility, interpretation and generalization of results. Clear guidelines for reporting and the collection and sharing of raw data would benefit the field by enabling study comparison and reproduction.