Apple Watch Tracking for Spinal Surgery Recovery

Overseen By Megan Tang, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Spine trauma, tumors, infection

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether an Apple Watch can aid recovery after spine surgery by tracking movement. The goal is to determine if patients feel more in control and satisfied with their recovery when discussing activity levels with their surgeon. Participants will either use the Apple Watch with a special app or receive standard care. English speakers with an iPhone planning elective spine surgery at Stanford may qualify for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could improve recovery experiences for future patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for tracking spinal surgery recovery?

Research has shown that the Apple Watch and its app are generally well-received in healthcare settings. In one study, both patients and surgeons using the Apple Watch for spine care expressed satisfaction, and patients wore the device consistently. Another study highlighted that smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, can assist in monitoring and detecting heart problems and movement disorders.

This indicates that using the Apple Watch in medical settings is safe and well-accepted. No evidence of major safety issues has emerged, which is encouraging for those considering participation in this trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using the Apple Watch and its app for spinal surgery recovery because it introduces a new way of tracking patient activity in real-time, potentially improving the recovery process. Unlike traditional methods that rely on infrequent doctor visits and subjective patient reports, this approach provides continuous, objective data on physical activity and health metrics. This could lead to more personalized recovery plans and timely interventions, enhancing overall patient outcomes.

What evidence suggests that using the Apple Watch and App is effective for tracking recovery after spine surgery?

This trial will compare the use of the Apple Watch and its app with standard care for spinal surgery recovery. Studies have shown that the Apple Watch and its app can aid recovery from spine surgery. In one study, 61% of participants found it helpful to see their activity data, and 96% of neurosurgeons agreed that the reports improved their understanding of patient recovery. Research indicates that tracking activity with devices like the Apple Watch can keep patients engaged and enhance their recovery. Additionally, this technology can reduce emergency visits and complications after surgery. Overall, the Apple Watch offers valuable insights that support better recovery. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Corinna Zygourakis, MD

Principal Investigator

Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals who are scheduled for elective spine surgery at Stanford University and own an iPhone. It's not open to patients with tumors, spine trauma, or infections.

Inclusion Criteria

English-speaking

I am scheduled for spine surgery at Stanford University by its attending physicians.

I own an iPhone.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had a spine injury.

I have an infection in my spine.

I have a tumor in my spine.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-Surgery Monitoring

Participants are monitored using the Apple Watch to track baseline activity levels before elective spine surgery

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for baseline assessment

Post-Surgery Monitoring

Participants use the Apple Watch to track activity and discuss mobilization goals with their surgeon post-operatively

12 months

Regular virtual check-ins and in-person visits as needed

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Apple Watch and App

Trial Overview The study tests the use of the Apple Watch and a companion app to track patient activity before and after elective spine surgery. The goal is to see if this technology can help improve patient empowerment, satisfaction, and self-reported outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Apple Watch and App Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive standard care, and an Apple Watch to record activity through the App.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive standard care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Stryker Nordic

Industry Sponsor

Trials

35

Recruited

4,400+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9647464/

Outcomes With a Mobile Digital Health Platform for Patients ... The aim of this study is to determine the rates of 90-day emergency room (ER) visits, readmissions, and complications in patients undergoing spine surgery ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1613915/full

Smartphone-based activity research: methodology and key insights The present methodological manuscript examines the utility and potential of smartphone accelerometer data in assessing mobility outcomes for spine surgery ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12352790/

a systematic review and clinical innovation network analysis Patient engagement and reported outcomes in surgical recovery: effectiveness of an e-health platform. ... data to objectively assess outcomes in spine surgery ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/379471778_225_SpineTrak_The_First_Randomized_Controlled_Trial_Using_the_Apple_Watch_to_Objectively_Track_Spine_Surgical_Patients?_share=1

225 SpineTrak: The First Randomized Controlled Trial ... 61% found seeing their AW activity data helpful. 96% of neurosurgeons agreed that AW reports help them understand their patients' recovery.

5. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20240603/Using-machine-learning-to-better-predict-recovery-after-lumbar-spine-surgery.aspx

Using machine learning to better predict recovery after ... Researchers who had been using Fitbit data to help predict surgical outcomes have a new method to more accurately gauge how patients may recover from spine ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1529943023030395

the first randomized controlled trial using the Apple Watch ... Preliminary results indicate patients are compliant with wearing the AW, and both patients and surgeons are satisfied with its use in their spine care. Initial ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10625201/

Smartwatches in healthcare medicine - PubMed Central - NIH Smartwatches have shown promise in detecting heart diseases, movement disorders, and even early signs of COVID-19.

8. archives-pmr.org archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(24)01076-1/abstract

Enhancing Spinal Cord Injury Care: Using Wearable ... Wearable devices may promote physical activity and allow the monitoring of secondary complications associated with SCI, potentially improving ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10835899/

Barriers and facilitators to smartwatch-based ... This study reports the perceived facilitators and barriers to a smartwatch-based prehab program for pre-frail and frail thoracic surgery patients.

10. thejns.org thejns.org/spine/view/journals/j-neurosurg-spine/38/5/article-p617.xml

Current and future applications of mobile health technology for ... Proposed objective scoring algorithm for assessment and intervention recovery following surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis based on relevant ...