A pilot study examining activity monitor use in older adults with heart failure during and after hospitalization

Our study examined feasibility and acceptability of continuous objective activity monitoring during hospitalization and after discharge in older adults with heart failure. Recruitment rate was 49.2% of eligible patients with a 93.1% retention rate. Twenty-seven older patients admitted with heart failure (78 ± 9.8 years; 51.8% female) wore two inclinometric accelerometers to record posture in-hospital and an ankle accelerometer to record ambulatory activity in-hospital and 30-days after discharge. During hospitalization, participants had 96.2% recorded wear time for postural accelerometers, and 99% for the ankle accelerometer. During the post-discharge period, there was 92% recorded wear time of the ankle accelerometer. Themes identified by participants were ease of wear, compatibility with hospital technology, remembering device/device use, and need for feedback/curiosity. Our study demonstrates feasibility and acceptability of continuous objective monitoring during hospitalization and at home in this clinical population.