Objective Measurements of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Using Wearable Devices in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis: Protocol for a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a subgroup of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Practicing regular exercise is critical to manage pain and stiffness, reduce disease activity, and improve physical functioning, spinal mobility, and cardiorespiratory function. Accordingly, monitoring physical activity and sedentary behavior in patients with axSpA is relevant for clinical outcomes and disease management. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to determine which wearable devices, assessment methods, and associated metrics are commonly used to quantify physical activity or sedentary behavior in patients with axSpA. METHODS: The PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Cochrane electronic databases will be searched, with no limit on publication date, to identify all the studies matching the inclusion criteria. Only original English-language articles published in a peer-reviewed journal will be included. The search strategy will include a combination of keywords related to the study population, wearable devices, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. We will use the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” to combine keywords as well as Medical Subject Headings terms. RESULTS: Search strategy was completed in June 2020 with 23 records obtained. Data extraction and synthesis are currently ongoing. Dissemination of study results in peer-reviewed journals is expected at the end of 2021. CONCLUSIONS: This review will provide a comprehensive and detailed synthesis of published studies that examine the use of wearable devices for objective assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior in patients with axSpA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020182398; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=182398 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/23359