A Robinson, A K Husband, R D Slight, S P Slight
Journal: BJS open 2021;5(2):zraa009
PMID: 33688953
Digital technologies are becoming an integral part of modern-day life. In a surgical context, recent evidence has linked better patient physical preparedness before surgery with improved outcomes and benefits after surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether digital technologies are effective at supporting patients undergoing elective surgery to change their health behaviours, focusing on physical activity, weight, and dietary intake. This study is a systematic review of 17 studies, of which 10 where randomised controlled trials. Results demonstrate that: - in patients undergoing elective surgery, digital technology can support behaviour change successfully, physical activity, dietary intake and weight loss. - digital technology effectiveness in the elective surgical population may be linked to three factors: delivery of an intervention, timing of the intervention and behavioural change theories underpinning the intervention design. - high overall retention rates across studies indicate the acceptability of modern technologies in surgical care. Authors conclude that digital technologies may effectively support behavioural change in patients undergoing elective surgery.
BACKGROUND
Digital technologies (such as smartphone applications, activity trackers, and e-learning platforms) have supported patients with long-term conditions to change their lifestyle health behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of digital technologies in supporting patients undergoing elective surgery to change their health behaviours.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted of articles reporting a digital intervention supporting behaviour change in adult patients who underwent elective bariatric, oncological or orthopaedic surgery. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2019 for quantitative intervention studies with a specific focus on physical activity, dietary intake, and weight loss in patients before and after surgery (PROSPERO: CRD42019127972). The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used to assess study quality.
RESULTS
Of 3021 citations screened, 17 studies were included comprising 4923 surgical patients; these included experimental (pre-post design, feasibility studies, and RCTs) and observational studies. Three factors were identified as effective for supporting health behaviour change in elective surgical populations: digital technology delivery, implementation, and theoretical underpinning. Six of eight studies that referred to behaviour change theories observed significant improvements in health behaviour relating to reduced weight regain, and improved lifestyle choices for physical activity and diet. Meta-analysis was not possible because of heterogeneous outcome measures.
CONCLUSION
Digital technologies may effectively support behavioural change in patients undergoing elective surgery.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Society Ltd.
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