Feasibility of Wearable-Based Remote Monitoring in Patients During Intensive Treatment for Aggressive Hematologic Malignancies

Multimodal Remote Home Monitoring of Lung Transplant Recipients during COVID-19 Vaccinations: Usability Pilot Study of the COVIDA Desk Incorporating Wearable Devices

Background and Objectives: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) of vital signs and symptoms for lung transplant recipients (LTRs) has become increasingly relevant in many situations. Nevertheless, RPM research integrating multisensory home monitoring in LTRs is scarce. We developed a novel multisensory home monitoring device and tested it in the context of COVID-19 vaccinations. We hypothesize that multisensory RPM and smartphone-based questionnaire feedback on signs and symptoms will be well accepted among LTRs. To assess the usability and acceptability of a remote monitoring system consisting of wearable devices, including home spirometry and a smartphone-based questionnaire application for symptom and vital sign monitoring using wearable devices, during the first and second SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Materials and Methods: Observational usability pilot study for six weeks of home monitoring with the COVIDA Desk for LTRs. During the first week after the vaccination, intensive monitoring was performed by recording data on physical activity, spirometry, temperature, pulse oximetry and self-reported symptoms, signs and additional measurements. During the subsequent days, the number of monitoring assessments was reduced. LTRs reported on their perceptions of the usability of the monitoring device through a purpose-designed questionnaire. Results: Ten LTRs planning to receive the first COVID-19 vaccinations were recruited. For the intensive monitoring study phase, LTRs recorded symptoms, signs and additional measurements. The most frequent adverse events reported were local pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and headache. The duration of these symptoms was 5-8 days post-vaccination. Adherence to the main monitoring devices was high. LTRs rated usability as high. The majority were willing to continue monitoring. Conclusions: The COVIDA Desk showed favorable technical performance and was well accepted by the LTRs during the vaccination phase of the pandemic. The feasibility of the RPM system deployment was proven by the rapid recruitment uptake, technical performance (i.e., low number of errors), favorable user experience questionnaires and detailed individual user feedback.

COVID19 in hematological patients and telemedicine: lessons learned across Europe and the US

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe the state-of-the-art of telemedicine in hematology through the description of most relevant studies published in the pre-COVID19 and during the COVID19 era.

RECENT FINDINGS

Telemedicine has recently gained momentum in hematology due to the COVID19 pandemic. Due to a necessary improvement of domiciliary follow-up of patients during the pandemic and an increase in technologies able to offer telemedicine, the number of studies has increased in the last 2 years. Telemedicine showed the potential to improve the monitoring of both benign and malignant hematological diseases. Patients affected by thalassemias, hemophilias and/or myeloproliferative diseases were monitored successfully with telemedicine platform. For higher-risk patients such as high-dose chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation, better platforms are needed (e.g. use of wearable devices systems). Also, telemedicine showed to be useful for the follow-up of hematological patients with COVID19.

SUMMARY

Despite the clear potential advantages of telemedicine for the follow-up of hematological patients, more evidence is required before adopting this approach in larger cohorts of patients. Larger- and higher-quality studies are highly needed in this setting.