This prospective observational study of 30 spine surgery patients recorded subjective outcome scores (VAS, ODI, SF-12). Patients were given a Fitbit accelerometer at least 7 days before surgery to record daily physical activity (step count, distance travelled, calories burned). Postoperative activity levels were reported at 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up. Among 28 compliant patients, high compliance and significant improvement in physical activity were seen in those undergoing lumbar decompression and fusion. However, there was no significant correlation between improvements in subjective clinical outcome scores and changes in physical activity measurements at follow-up.

Publication Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967586815005469