Can wearable devices be used to non-invasively measure energy expenditure in patients with burn injury?
Bronwyn Segon1, Merrilyn Banks Anita Plaza Andrea Mc Kittrick Elizabeth Vujcich Judy Bauer David Silvera-Tawil Marlien Varnfield Deepa Prabhu Wei Lu Dale Trevor 1Royal Brisbane And Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Abstract
Severe burns cause a profound pathophysiological stress response and a radically increased metabolic rate. Current methods for determining energy expenditure (EE) have poor accuracy and do not account for the heterogeneity of EE within this population. Wearable devices have the potential to provide accurate information about EE and other relevant clinical parameters.
Aim:
To determine the primary physiological indicators of EE and how they may be non-invasively and accurately measured using wearable technologies in patients with burn injuries.
Methods:
A review of the literature, market research and consultation with relevant stakeholders, health professionals and consumers were undertaken to identify wearable technologies that had the capabilities to measure relevant physiological indicators of EE and to record other clinically relevant data. Consumer repersentatives provided insight into the potential acceptability of the devices and to ensure devices selected considered the ergonomic challenges.
Results:
Four commercially available devices were identified that had desirable ergonomic features or collected physiological data that could potentially be used to measure EE. Devices include a research-grade wrist worn watch, a research-grade chest patch, a smart ring and a bed sensor. Collectively these devices can collect information such as; heart rate, body temperature, minute ventilation, movement, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, total loss of body heat and posture.
Conclusion:
The technology identified through this review will be used in a feasibility trial, where the physiological data collected from the devices will be used to estimate total EE and will be compared to the gold standard measurement for EE in a clinical setting (indirect calorimetry), standard estimation equations and iterative algorithms. Additionally, patient tolerance and acceptance will be determined via adherence to the measurement protocol and qualitative feedback. Based on the outcomes of this feasibility trial, further trials may need to be conducted to determine which parameters are essential in estimating EE.
Biography
Clinical Dietitian