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Venkatraman V, Heo H, Kaplan S, Parente BA, Lad SP. Digital Health for Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review. World Neurosurg 2024; 182:70-82. [PMID: 37967741 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Digital health tools, including smartphone applications (apps), websites, and online search engines, are increasingly being utilized for health data collection and patient education. Studies have shown that these tools can help disseminate information widely and even help guide patients through acute surgical episodes. We aimed to search the literature to summarize available studies on using digital health tools for patients undergoing spine surgery. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of PubMed MEDLINE, Elsevier EMBASE, and Elsevier Scopus databases, as well as ClinicalTrials.gov up to March 11, 2022. RESULTS Forty-four full-text articles were included and qualitatively analyzed. Studies were broadly grouped into those that analyzed the quality of web-based materials for patients, the quality of YouTube videos for spine surgery, the development, feasibility, and implementation of mobile apps for patients, and randomized controlled trials for integrating mobile apps into perioperative care. CONCLUSIONS We presented a systematic review analyzing the current landscape of digital health for patients undergoing spine surgery. Internet patient education materials in searchable websites and YouTube videos are of poor quality, lacking in readability to the average patient and robustness of information needed for patients to make informed decisions about pursuing spine surgery. However, there lies promise in digital apps developed to guide patients through surgery and collect postoperative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Venkatraman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Helen Heo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Samantha Kaplan
- Medical Center Library & Archives, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Beth A Parente
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shivanand P Lad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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Leibold A, Mansoor Ali D, Harrop J, Sharan A, Vaccaro AR, Sivaganesan A. Smartphone-based activity tracking for spine patients: Current technology and future opportunities. World Neurosurg X 2024; 21:100238. [PMID: 38221955 PMCID: PMC10787294 DOI: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2023.100238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Activity trackers and wearables allow accurate determination of physical activity, basic vital parameters, and tracking of complex medical conditions. This review attempts to provide a roadmap for the development of these applications, outlining the basic tools available, how they can be combined, and what currently exists in the marketplace for spine patients. Various types of sensors currently exist to measure distinct aspects of user movement. These include the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer, global positioning system (GPS), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and microphone. Integration of data from these sensors allows detailed tracking of location and vectors of motion, resulting in accurate mobility assessments. These assessments can have great value for a variety of healthcare specialties, but perhaps none more so than spine surgery. Patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) are subject to bias and are difficult to track frequently - a problem that is ripe for disruption with the continued development of mobility technology. Currently, multiple mobile applications exist as an extension of clinical care. These include Manage My Surgery (MMS), SOVINITY-e-Healthcare Services, eHealth System, Beiwe Smartphone Application, QS Access, 6WT, and the TUG app. These applications utilize sensor data to assess patient activity at baseline and postoperatively. The results are evaluated in conjunction with PROMs. However, these applications have not yet exploited the full potential of available sensors. There is a need to develop smartphone applications that can accurately track the functional status and activity of spine patients, allowing a more quantitative assessment of outcomes, in contrast to legacy PROMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Leibold
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniyal Mansoor Ali
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James Harrop
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashwini Sharan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander R. Vaccaro
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ahilan Sivaganesan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Bi CL, Kurland DB, Ber R, Kondziolka D, Lau D, Pacione D, Frempong-Boadu A, Laufer I, Oermann EK. Digital Biomarkers and the Evolution of Spine Care Outcomes Measures: Smartphones and Wearables. Neurosurgery 2023; 93:745-754. [PMID: 37246874 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past generation, outcome measures in spine care have evolved from a reliance on clinician-reported assessment toward recognizing the importance of the patient's perspective and the wide incorporation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs). While patient-reported outcomes are now considered an integral component of outcomes assessments, they cannot wholly capture the state of a patient's functionality. There is a clear need for quantitative and objective patient-centered outcome measures. The pervasiveness of smartphones and wearable devices in modern society, which passively collect data related to health, has ushered in a new era of spine care outcome measurement. The patterns emerging from these data, so-called "digital biomarkers," can accurately describe characteristics of a patient's health, disease, or recovery state. Broadly, the spine care community has thus far concentrated on digital biomarkers related to mobility, although the researcher's toolkit is anticipated to expand in concert with advancements in technology. In this review of the nascent literature, we describe the evolution of spine care outcome measurements, outline how digital biomarkers can supplement current clinician-driven and patient-driven measures, appraise the present and future of the field in the modern era, as well as discuss present limitations and areas for further study, with a focus on smartphones (see Supplemental Digital Content , http://links.lww.com/NEU/D809 , for a similar appraisal of wearable devices).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Bi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, New York University, New York , New York , USA
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Ziga M, Sosnova M, Zeitlberger AM, Regli L, Bozinov O, Weyerbrock A, Ratliff JK, Stienen MN, Maldaner N. Objective outcome measures may demonstrate continued change in functional recovery in patients with ceiling effects of subjective patient-reported outcome measures after surgery for lumbar degenerative disorders. Spine J 2023; 23:1314-1322. [PMID: 37182704 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT The 6-minute walking test (6WT) has been previously shown to be a reliable and valid outcome measure. It is unclear if the 6WT may further help to detect differences in well performing patients that reach a ceiling effect in PROMs after surgery. PURPOSE To evaluate changes and timing of change in objective functional impairment (OFI) as measured with the smartphone-based 6WT in relation to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after surgery for degenerative lumbar disorders (DLD). STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE Fifty consecutive patients undergoing surgery for DLD. OUTCOME MEASURES Patients self-determined their OFI using the 6WT application (6WT-app) and completed a set of paper-based PROMs before, 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery. METHODS Fifty patients undergoing surgery for DLD were assessed preoperatively (baseline), 6 weeks (6W) and 3 months (3M) postoperatively. Paired sample t-tests were used to establish significant changes in raw 6-minute walking distance (6WD) and standardized Z-scores, as well as PROMs. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to define the relationship between 6WT and PROMs. Floor and ceiling effects were assessed for each PROM (visual analogue scale [VAS], core outcome measure index [COMI], Zurich claudication questionnaire [ZCQ]). RESULTS Mean 6WT results improved from 377 m (standard deviation - SD 137; Z-score: 1.8, SD 1.8) to 490 m (SD 126; -0.7, SD 1.5) and 518 m (SD 112; -0.4, SD 1.41; all p<.05) at 6W and 3M follow-up. No significant improvement was observed between 6W and 3M for the ZCQ, VAS back and leg pain. While correlation between 6WT and all PROMs were weak at baseline, correlation coefficient increased to moderate at 3M. A considerable ceiling effect (best possible score) was observed, most notably for the ZCQ physical performance, VAS back and leg pain in 24%, 20%, and 16% of patient at 6W and in 30%, 24%, and 28% at 3M. CONCLUSIONS Objective functional tests can describe the continued change in the physical recovery of a patient and may help to detect differences in well performing groups as well as in cases where patients' PROM results cannot further improve because of a ceiling effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Ziga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland; 1(st) Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marketa Sosnova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Anna M Zeitlberger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Luca Regli
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Bozinov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Weyerbrock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - John K Ratliff
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Martin N Stienen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolai Maldaner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Mualem W, Durrani S, Lakomkin N, Van Gompel J, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Bydon M. Utilizing Data from Wearable Technologies in the Era of Telemedicine to Assess Patient Function and Outcomes in Neurosurgery: Systematic Review and Time-Trend Analysis of the Literature. World Neurosurg 2022; 166:90-119. [PMID: 35843580 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has driven the increased use of telemedicine and the adoption of wearable technology in neurosurgery. We reviewed studies exploring the use of wearables on neurosurgical patients and analyzed wearables' scientific production trends. METHODS The review encompassed PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Bibliometric analysis was performed using citation data of the included studies through Elsevier's Scopus database. Linear regression was utilized to understand scientific production trends. All analyses were performed on R 4.1.2. RESULTS We identified 979 studies. After screening, 49 studies were included. Most studies evaluated wearable technology use for patients with spinal pathology (n = 31). The studies were published over a 24-year period (1998-2021). Forty-seven studies involved wearable device use relevant to telemedicine. Bibliometric analysis revealed a compounded annual growth rate of 7.3%, adjusted for inflation, in annual scientific production from 1998 to 2021 (coefficient=1.3; 95% Confidence Interval = [0.7, 1.9], P < 0.01). Scientific production steadily increased in 2014 (n = 1) and peaked from 2019 (n = 8) to 2021 (n = 13) in correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Publications spanned 34 journals, averaged 24.4 citations per article, 3.0 citations per year per article, and 8.3 authors per article. CONCLUSION Wearables can provide clinicians with objective measurements to determine patient function and quality of life. The rise in articles related to wearables in neurosurgery demonstrates the increased adoption of wearable devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wearable devices appear to be a key component in this era of telemedicine and their positive utility and practicality are increasingly being realized in neurosurgery.
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Zeitlberger AM, Sosnova M, Ziga M, Gautschi OP, Regli L, Bozinov O, Weyerbrock A, Stienen MN, Maldaner N. Distance to first symptoms measured by the 6-min walking test differentiates between treatment success and failure in patients with degenerative lumbar disorders. Eur Spine J 2022; 31:596-603. [PMID: 35015137 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-021-07103-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The smartphone-based 6-min walking test (6WT) is an established digital outcome measure in patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar disorders (DLD). In addition to the 6WTs primary outcome measure, the 6-min walking distance (6WD), the patient's distance to first symptoms (DTFS) and time to first symptoms (TTFS) can be recorded. This is the first study to analyse the psychometric properties of the DTFS and TTFS. METHODS Forty-nine consecutive patients (55 ± 15.8 years) completed the 6WT pre- and 6 weeks (W6) postoperative. DTFS and TTFS were assessed for reliability and content validity using disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures. The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire patient satisfaction subscale was used as external criterion for treatment success. Internal and external responsiveness for both measures at W6 was evaluated. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in DTFS and TTFS from baseline to W6 (p < 0.001). Both measures demonstrated a good test-retest reliability (β = 0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.90 and β = 0.83, 95% CI 0.76-0.87, both p < 0.001). The DTFS exceeded the 6WD capability to differentiate between satisfied (82%) and unsatisfied patients (18%) with an AUC of 0.75 (95% CI 0.53-0.98) vs. 0.70 (95% CI 0.52-0.90). The TTFS did not demonstrate meaningful discriminative abilities. CONCLUSION Change in DTFS can differentiate between satisfied and unsatisfied patients after spine surgery. Digital outcome measures on the 6WT metric provide spine surgeons and researchers with a mean to assess their patient's functional disability and response to surgical treatment in DLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Zeitlberger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Marketa Sosnova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Michal Ziga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Oliver P Gautschi
- Neuro- and Spine Center, Hirslanden Clinic St. Anna, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Regli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Bozinov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Weyerbrock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Martin N Stienen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolai Maldaner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland. .,University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Sosnova M, Zeitlberger AM, Ziga M, Gautschi OP, Regli L, Weyerbrock A, Bozinov O, Stienen MN, Maldaner N. Patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative spinal disorders favor smartphone-based objective self-assessment over paper-based patient-reported outcome measures. Spine J 2021; 21:610-617. [PMID: 33346155 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Smartphone-based applications enable new prospects to monitor symptoms and assess functional outcome in patients with lumbar degenerative spinal disorders. However, little is known regarding patient acceptance and preference towards new modes of digital objective outcome assessment. PURPOSE To assess patient preference of an objective smartphone-based outcome measure compared to conventional paper-based subjective methods of outcome assessment. STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE Fourty-nine consecutive patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative spinal disorder. OUTCOME MEASURES Patients completed a preference survey to assess different methods of outcome assessment. A 5-level Likert scale ranged from strong disagreement (2 points) over neutral (6 points) to strong agreement (10 points) was used. METHODS Patients self-determined their objective functional impairment using the 6-minute Walking Test application (6WT-app) and completed a set of paper-based patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) before and 6 weeks after surgery. Patients were then asked to rate the methods of outcome assessment in terms of suitability, convenience, and responsiveness to their symptoms. RESULTS The majority of patients considered the 6WT-app a suitable instrument (median 8.0, interquartile range [IQR] 4.0). Patients found the 6WT more convenient (median 10.0, IQR 2.0) than the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ; median 8.0, IQR 4.0, p=.019) and Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI; median 8.0, IQR 4.0, p=.007). There was good agreement that the 6WT-app detects change in physical performance (8.0, IQR 4.0). 78 % of patients considered the 6WT superior in detecting differences in symptoms (vs. 22% for PROMs). Seventy-six percent of patients would select the 6WT over the other, 18% the ZCQ and 6% the COMI. Eighty-two percent of patients indicated their preference to use a smartphone app for the assessment and monitoring of their spine-related symptoms in the future. CONCLUSIONS Patients included in this study favored the smartphone-based evaluation of objective functional impairment over paper-based PROMs. Involving patients more actively by means of digital technology may increase patient compliance and satisfaction as well as diagnostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Sosnova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | | | - Michal Ziga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Oliver P Gautschi
- Neuro- and Spine Center, Hirslanden Clinic St. Anna, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Regli
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Weyerbrock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Bozinov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Martin N Stienen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolai Maldaner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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