Use of wearable activity trackers during hospitalisation is associated with higher physical activity levels, less sedentary behaviour, and better physical functioning versus usual care, according to a review published in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers from the University of SA in Adelaide explored the association between interventions that use wearable activity trackers — such as pedometers and accelerometers — in hospitalised patients with physical activity, sedentary behaviour, clinical outcomes, and hospital efficiency outcomes.

Based on 15 studies with some 1900 participants, the team observed a significant association between wearable activity tracker interventions and higher overall physical activity.

This included a higher daily step count (mean difference 826 steps/day) and less sedentary behaviour (mean difference -35 minutes/day)