Integrating the wrist-worn tracker in cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a scoping review

Abstract

Background/Aims Physical activity has been recommended as a secondary prevention strategy to reduce the risk of recurrent adverse events and improve health. While it can be challenging for health practitioners to motivate patients to remain physically active, wrist-worn activity trackers can assist in monitoring adherence. The aim of this study was to identify and summarise the existing scientific literature on wrist-worn activity trackers monitoring physical activity among patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The authors also aimed to identify evidence gaps that require further investigation. Methods A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Method quality was appraised using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews instrument. The study focused on any physical activity data collected by wrist-worn activity trackers in cardiac rehabilitation. Results A total of 19 relevant records were identified. Wrist-worn activity trackers generally improved the patient's physical activity and the validity of heart rate and step count measurements was acceptable. Some studies demonstrated improvements in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Conclusions Wrist-worn activity trackers can help to monitor patients' physical activity in cardiac rehabilitation, with potential benefits for exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Further research is necessary to strengthen the evidence that wrist-worn activity trackers may be beneficial to evaluate clinical outcomes, determine the intervention cost, acceptability of patients and allied health professionals, as well as explore feedback, including technical issues.