Considerations When Choosing a Fitness Tracking Device

Abstract Background Esophageal cancer surgery requires maintenance and enhancement of perioperative nutritional status and physical function to prevent postoperative complications. Therefore, awareness of the importance of preoperative patient support is increasing. This study examined the usefulness of using a diary in combination with a wearable fitness tracking device (WFT) in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer. Methods Ninety-four patients who underwent esophagectomy between February 2019 and April 2021 were included. Physicians, nurses, dietitians, and physical therapists provided diary-based education for the patients. In addition, a WFT was used by some patients. The perioperative outcomes of patients who used both the diary and WFT (WFT group) and those who used the diary alone (non-WFT group) were compared. In addition, propensity score matching was performed to improve comparability between the two groups. Results After the propensity score matching, the rate of postoperative pneumonia was significantly lower in the WFT group (0% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.005). The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the WFT group (P = 0.012). Nutritional status indices, such as the prognostic nutritional index, also improved significantly in the WFT group at 1 month after surgery (P = 0.034). The rate of diary entries was significantly higher in the WFT group (72.3% vs. 28.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of a WFT reduced the incidence of postoperative pneumonia and improved postoperative nutritional status and rates of diary entries after esophagectomy, suggesting that its use may be useful for promoting recovery after esophagectomy.

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Physical Activity and Sleep Measures Using a Fitness Tracking Device during Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Pilot Study

Transplantation and Cellular Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.jtct.2021.02.015 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Najla El Jurdi ◽

Nora Nock ◽

Pingfu Fu ◽

Shufen Cao ◽

Joel M Cotton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Cell Transplantation ◽

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Fitness Tracking ◽

Tracking Device

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Sleep among Obstetrics and Gynecology Trainees: Results from a Yoga-Based Wellness Initiative

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1728838 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shilpa Babbar ◽

Karen B. Williams ◽

An-Lin Cheng

Keyword(s):

Clinical Performance ◽

Obstetrics And Gynecology ◽

Quality Improvement Initiative ◽

Wellness Program ◽

Change In The Mean ◽

The Mean ◽

Fitness Tracking ◽

Coach Program ◽

Fitness Tracker ◽

Tracking Device

Objective This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using a wrist-based fitness tracking device to assess sleep among Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) trainees who engaged in a yoga-based wellness program. We also sought to evaluate the effects of yoga on sleep. Study Design A quality improvement initiative consisting of an 8-week wellness program of weekly yoga classes, nutrition, and physical challenges was implemented for OBGYN residents and Maternal–Fetal Medicine fellows. The Polar A370 fitness tracker device was provided and synced to the Polar Flow for Coach program for inclusion. Data obtained included total and restful sleep from each night the device were worn. Pre- and post-assessment of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were compared. Linear mixed models were used to estimate and test the effect of yoga on sleep while controlling for on-call shifts. Results Of the 15 participants who synced their device, 13 (87%) were included for analysis. Sleep data from 572 nights were analyzed. The mean (SD) total sleep was 434.28 (110.03) minutes over the 8 weeks. A minimum of 7 hours (420 minutes) of total sleep occurred 59.3% of the time. After controlling for Friday or Saturday night on-call, those who attended yoga class had a significantly greater total sleep (yoga: 425.14 minutes [41.89], no yoga: 357.33 [43.04] minutes; p = 0.04). There was no significant change in the mean global PSQI score after the program (pre: 5.0 [1.6], post: 5.1 [2.5], p = 0.35). Conclusion Wearable fitness monitors provide insight into sleep patterns displayed during training and can serve as a tool to identify those who are sleep deprived and assist in the evaluation of trainee wellness. Training programs are encouraged to provide access to yoga and mindfulness interventions to improve sleep and possibly clinical performance. Key Points

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Biometric Poetics: The Case of Eververse

Hyperrhiz New Media Cultures ◽

10.20415/hyp/024.e04 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Justin Tonra ◽

David Kelly

Keyword(s):

The Body ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Quantified Self ◽

Electronic Literature ◽

Biometric Data ◽

Language Generation ◽

Fitness Tracking ◽

Tracking Device ◽

Contemporary Context ◽

Associated Data

Eververse was a yearlong conceptual poetry project which used a poet’s biometric data as the basis for generating verse. This article describes the project’s conceptual contributions to the field of electronic literature and its technical development. Eververse operated by collecting biometric data from the poet with a commercial fitness tracking device; this data was sent to a custom-built poetry generator which deployed a number of processes from the domains of Natural Language Generation and Sentiment Analysis to generate poetry; the form and content of this poetry was designed to vary according to specific changes in the biometric data, resulting in a poetry that conspicuously correlated with the poet’s daily activities; this poetry was published in real-time on the project website and the full poem and associated data have now been archived. In addition to providing details on the technical implementation of Eververse, this article includes discussion that situates the work within the tradition of electronic literature and analyses its unique inscription of biometric data. The article examines that feature in the contemporary context of the quantified self, but also in its engagement with historic poetic theories of composition, creativity, and the textualisation of the body.

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Evaluation of a consumer fitness-tracking device to assess sleep in adults

Chronobiology International ◽

10.3109/07420528.2015.1054395 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 1024-1028 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Massimiliano de Zambotti ◽

Stephanie Claudatos ◽

Sarah Inkelis ◽

Ian M. Colrain ◽

Fiona C. Baker

Keyword(s):

Fitness Tracking ◽

Tracking Device

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New AAC Access Strategy for Gesture Tracking: A Technical Note

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac21.1.11 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Susan Fager ◽

Tom Jakobs ◽

David Beukelman ◽

Tricia Ternus ◽

Haylee Schley

Keyword(s):

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Technical Note ◽

Head Tracking ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Access Methods ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Physical Limitations ◽

Gesture Tracking ◽

Communication Needs ◽

Tracking Device

Abstract This article summarizes the design and evaluation of a new augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interface strategy for people with complex communication needs and severe physical limitations. This strategy combines typing, gesture recognition, and word prediction to input text into AAC software using touchscreen or head movement tracking access methods. Eight individuals with movement limitations due to spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, polio, and Guillain Barre syndrome participated in the evaluation of the prototype technology using a head-tracking device. Fourteen typical individuals participated in the evaluation of the prototype using a touchscreen.

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