Monitoring activity of hip injury patients (MoHIP): a sub-study of the World Hip Trauma Evaluation observational cohort study

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is common, affecting 20% of women and 10% of men during their lifetime. The trajectory of patients’ recovery as they transition from the acute hospital setting to their usual residence is poorly understood. Recently, the use of activity trackers to monitor physical activity during recovery has been investigated as a way to explore this trajectory. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study followed patients from hospital to home as they recovered from a hip fracture. Participants were recruited from a single centre and provided with a 3-axis logging accelerometer worn as a pendant, for 16 weeks from recruitment. Participants received monthly follow-up visits which included questions about wearing the monitor. Monthly activity monitor data were also downloaded. Participant activity was estimated from the monitor data using the calibrated “Euclidean Norm Minus One” (ENMO) metric. Polynomial mixed-effects modelling was used to evaluate the difference between the weekly activity trends of 2 groups of participants: those with and without independent mobility at 16 weeks (defined by whether aids or personal assistance were required to mobilise). RESULTS: Twenty-nine participants from 125 eligible patients were recruited. Of these, 19 (66%) reported being aware of wearing the monitor at least some of the time. Fourteen (48%) participants withdrew before study completion. Data for thirteen (45%) participants were of sufficient quantity to be included in the activity modelling procedure. Of these, 8 reported independent mobility at 16 weeks post-surgery, and 5 did not. By week 7, the weekly predicted mean ENMO ([Formula: see text] ) values were significantly different between the two participant groups, demonstrating feasibility of the model’s ability to predict which patients will report independent mobility at 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to our knowledge to investigate acceptability and feasibility of a pendant-worn activity monitor in this patient cohort. Acceptability of wearing the monitor and feasibility of recruitment and retention of participants were limited. Future research into the use of activity monitors in this population should use minimally intrusive devices which are acceptable to this population. STUDY REGISTRATION: MoHIP is a sub-study of the World Hip Trauma Evaluation (WHiTE) Study (ISRCTN 63982700).