Collaborator:
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS),
Studienleiter
Matthias Guckenberger, Prof Study Chair Clinic of Radiation-Oncology USZ Gerhard Tröster, Prof Study Chair University of Zurich Gudrun Theile, MD Principal Investigator Clinic of Radiation-Oncology USZ
To test the potential and acceptance of wireless activity tracking in palliative care
patients leaving hospital care. Explorative study, collaboration project of the Clinic of
Radiation-Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and the Wearable Computing Laboratory, Swiss
Federal Institut of Technology. Patients receive a tracking bracelet and a smart phone in
order to gather objective physical activity parameters as step count, sleep duration, heart
rate, social activity patterns (e.g. making calls) as well as subjective ratings of pain and
distress. Quality of life (QoL) will be captured by paper questionnaire. Correlations between
patients' physical activity patterns and the pain and distress level assessed from electronic
scales as well as QoL-questionnaire will be performed. Acceptance will be evaluated by
quantitative questionnaires and interviews. The proposed study is meant to be preparatory
work for an intervention study to test the effect of wireless monitoring of palliative care
patients on fostering early interventions for symptom relief and support of QoL.
