Privacy in activity monitoring of knee surgery patient recovery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Post discharge activity monitoring of knee replacement patient recovery. Feasibility study.
IRAS ID
160854
Contact name
Blaine Price
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
A total of 70,000 knee replacements are performed per annum in England. Much is known about the eventual long-term outcomes, and the period of inpatient hospitalisation but little is known about the period between discharge from hospital and time of first review in outpatients (usually 6 weeks) with regard to the patient experience, function and pain levels. However, it is known that some 20-25% of total knee replacements remain painful even after 1 year post implantation, the reasons for this are unclear, but this is a consistent problem internationally.
One black hole in our knowledge is exactly what goes on in the 6 weeks following surgery between being discharged from hospital and seeing the consultant again in the outpatient department, and whether factors during this early recovery influence long term outcome. Knee replacements remain sore for a number of weeks post-surgery and people are given painkillers to take as required, and may have appointments with a physiotherapist to help with ongoing rehabilitation.
This study will use a commercially available digital wireless pedometer. This small device can be clipped on to an item of clothing (or may be worn around the neck) to monitor the number and intensity of steps taken on a minute by minute basis. By monitoring activity, and using a daily questionnaire of pain levels and medication (painkiller) use, we hope to get a clearer picture of what influences recovery outcomes during the first 6 weeks post-surgery and how this affects long term outcomes. This will help us to identify people who may benefit from early intervention (for example with more medication, or more physiotherapy, or a combination of both) to help keep their recovery on track. . A secondary issue of interest to OU researchers is how sharing, privacy and group dynamics affect behaviour.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0649
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion