Google location history following oesophagectomy and/or gastrectomy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Google location history (GLH) as a health tool to assess physical activity profiles and patterns following oesophagectomy and/or gastrectomy
IRAS ID
291294
Contact name
Sheraz Markar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 14 days
Research summary
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for patients diagnosed with early-disease oesophageal and gastric cancer. Open surgery for oesophageal cancer commonly involves large incisions in the chest, associated with a high rate of respiratory complications in the postoperative period. Several studies have shown that low physical activity levels are associated with increased risk for respiratory complication. Furthermore, patients with oesophageal or gastric cancer often present with significant weight loss, affecting both muscle mass and muscle strength. This could further decrease the physical fitness and increase the risk for experiencing complications after treatment. Enhanced recovery programmes are evidence-based protocols aiming at early recovery after surgery with early mobilisation and physiotherapy, and have been shown to reduce respiratory complication rates. Thus, quantifying physical activity levels in these patients may identify the period in which patients’ activity levels are most likely to deteriorate. Activity levels will be assessed from Google Location History from the patient's phone, providing summary of patterns of physical activity over time. This information could be used to provide adequate physical therapy intervention which might improve recovery in several aspects, such as physical fitness but also respiratory function and quality of life.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0053
Date of REC Opinion
10 May 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion