Remote monitoring has been shown to significantly enhance recovery outcomes for cancer patients following surgery, according to a new study published in the journal npj Digital Medicine. The research indicates that patients whose health teams monitored their symptoms remotely experienced quicker recovery times compared to those without such support.
Tracy Crane, director of lifestyle medicine, prevention, and digital health at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasized the importance of the initial post-operative period. “The first two weeks after discharge are critical,” Crane stated in a news release. She added that remote care can effectively “bridge the gap between hospital and home, catching issues early and supporting recovery.”
For this study, researchers recruited 293 patients undergoing major abdominal or pelvic surgeries for various cancers, including gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynecologic types. Each participant was equipped with a wristband to monitor their step count and was required to report their post-operative symptoms via a smartphone app. The researchers highlighted that increases in daily steps correlate with improved post-operative outcomes.
Half of the participants received active remote telemonitoring, where triage nurses monitored their reported symptoms and step data. These nurses proactively reached out if any concerning trends emerged. The other half constituted a control group that only received automated messages advising them to contact the hospital if their symptoms worsened.
Crane stated, “We designed this study to reflect real-world conditions. Our goal was to ensure the intervention was feasible and meaningful for patients and providers.” The results revealed that patients with active remote monitoring demonstrated a 6% improvement in functional recovery by the two-week mark after surgery, along with fewer major complications. Additionally, these patients experienced better symptom management and less disruption to their daily activities.
Crane called the findings “a call to innovate,” pointing out that numerous devices are now available to track patients’ vital signs during home recovery. “Tomorrow’s providers should be comfortable with data streams from connected devices to harness these data and collaborate across disciplines, putting patients at the center of every decision,” she remarked. “Technology can help us do this.”
Looking ahead, the research team indicated that future studies should focus on identifying the most effective types of monitoring for specific surgical procedures and cancer types.
For additional information on recovery from cancer surgery, the American Cancer Society offers extensive resources.
