Smart T-Shirt Monitors Cancer Surgery Recovery at Home
Patients recuperating from cancer surgery may soon benefit from at-home monitoring via a novel smart T-shirt. Italian researchers have engineered a wearable device integrated into a T-shirt that remotely tracks vital signs. The device, worn for three hours daily over approximately two weeks, employs sensors to measure key health metrics, including respiratory rate, heart rate, and body temperature.
A clinical trial involving 70 patients demonstrated that individuals discharged from the hospital sooner and utilizing the device reported feeling more secure and supported during their recovery period at home.
Enhanced Monitoring Capabilities
Professor Antonio Pastore, the study’s lead researcher and developer of the T-shirt in collaboration with LET’s Webearable Solutions, emphasized the garment’s superior monitoring capabilities compared to conventional wearable devices. Professor Pastore, a specialist in urology at Sapienza University of Rome, clarified the advantages: “The smart T-shirt provided to patients offers a more comprehensive data collection than smartwatches and similar wearables.”
Detailed Data Collection
Professor Pastore elaborated on the T-shirt’s advanced features: “It can capture a broader spectrum of data, including electrolyte levels. Monitoring electrolytes is crucial post-bladder surgery as fluctuations can indicate mineral imbalances that may lead to serious complications.”
Patient feedback regarding the device was overwhelmingly positive. “Our patients found the T-shirt user-friendly, and over 90% expressed that it fostered a sense of safety and well-being during their convalescence at home,” Professor Pastore stated.
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Trial and Outcomes
The study focused on patients undergoing urological surgery for cancer. Standard discharge protocols typically involved hospital stays of three to five days post-surgery.
In the trial, patients in the monitoring group, equipped with the smart T-shirts, were discharged 24 to 36 hours earlier than the control group. These patients were instructed to wear the garment for designated periods throughout the day to facilitate continuous vital signs monitoring.
The continuous monitoring of vital signs, encompassing blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels, enabled the early detection of cardiac issues in five patients, facilitating prompt diagnosis and intervention.
Notably, the study revealed a significant difference in hospital readmission rates. Eight patients in the control group required unscheduled hospital visits before their planned follow-up appointments, compared to only two patients in the smart T-shirt monitoring group.
Benefits of Early Discharge and Patient Comfort
Professor Pastore further highlighted the benefits of utilizing the smart T-shirt for post-operative care: “In Italy, where the standard hospital stay following robot-assisted urological surgery can extend to at least 72 hours, enabling earlier patient discharge significantly enhances their quality of life. Patients experience greater comfort in their home environment, and simultaneously, we can optimize hospital bed availability.”
The research findings are scheduled for presentation at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid this weekend.
Expert Perspective
Professor Maarten Albersen, a urologist at UZ Leuven in Belgium and Chairman of the Scientific Congress Office at the European Association of Urology Congress, characterized the technology as “promising.”
Professor Albersen commented on the study’s initial outcomes: “This is an early-stage trial, yet the insights are compelling, particularly regarding patient acceptance of the wearable technology. Its capacity to detect complications in real-time and minimize unnecessary hospital readmissions is noteworthy.”
However, Professor Albersen also emphasized the need for further research: “Considering the limited scope and preliminary nature of this trial, more robust data is essential to fully ascertain the wearable’s capacity to safely support earlier hospital discharge and its definitive impact on patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness before widespread clinical implementation.”