Comparative effectiveness of remote perioperative telemonitoring in cancer surgery: a randomized trial

This randomized trial compared remote perioperative telemonitoring (RPM) care versus surgeon only care in patients with gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), or gynecological (GYN) cancers (N = 293). The RPM care arm wore a wristband accelerometer and reported symptoms via a mobile application (app) before surgery and at days 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 post-discharge. Triage nurses telephoned patients when data deviated from predetermined thresholds. Participants in the surgeon only care arm used the device and app but received a standard institutional message when threshold deviations occurred. A 6% greater functional recovery rate was observed for participants in the RPM care arm (p = 0.036). Change in symptom severity scores was statistically significant at day 90 and for symptom interference with daily activities at days 14 and 90, favoring the RPM care arm. The RPM care arm experienced fewer major postoperative complications (p = 0.004). RPM care produced statistically significant benefits in postoperative functional recovery and symptoms. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04596384, 10/22/2020.