Fitness trackers can help speed up recovery times

Fitness trackers can help speed up recovery times after major cancer surgery, research shows

• Cancer patients who wore exercise-tracking device had shorter hospital stays 
• Those who used tracker for six weeks before operation stayed a third fewer days 
• Doctors say the recent findings highlight importance of exercise before surgery 

Fitness trackers could help speed up recovery times following major cancer surgery, new research has found.

Cancer sufferers who wore an exercise-tracking device for six weeks before an operation stayed in hospital for a third fewer days than those not using the gadget.

Doctors involved in the study say the findings highlight the importance of exercise before surgery and suggest fitness trackers could be implemented across the NHS.

Fitness trackers could help speed up recovery times following major cancer surgery, new research has found. Pictured: Stock image

Mr Omer Aziz, consultant surgeon at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and lead author of the study, said: ‘This novel approach could mean more patients are fitter for surgery, resulting in a shorter recovery time and therefore fewer days in hospital.’

The University of Manchester study began in 2019, and recruited 22 patients who were scheduled to have major abdominal surgery at The Christie for appendix cancer.

Half the patients were given a popular Fitbit device and an exercise programme, while the other half were instructed to continue with their normal level of activity.

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