Abstract
Background
BrainWear is a phase II observational clinical trial which collects data on patient activity levels, fatigue, Quality of Life (QoL) and imaging in patients with brain tumours
Methods
Newly diagnosed patients were offered wrist worn accelerometers (Axivity AX3) to be worn continuously throughout their treatment (surgery, chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy) to monitor physical activity. We collected standardised measures of QoL, fatigue, MRI imaging data and disease progression. Here, we report early results on activity data 5 days before and after treatment.
Results
Of 23 patients recruited, we report complete pre and post treatment data in 4 patients (2 HGG, 2 metastatic) who underwent craniotomy (2), fractionated radiotherapy (1) and SRS (1). Both craniotomy patients experienced an immediate 60 – 70% reduction in activity, and were successfully discharged at day 2 post-op even though their activity was still significantly reduced. Both patients recovered another 10% in their activity levels following discharge. Radiotherapy patients experienced no early change within 5 days of starting treatment.
Conclusion
As expected craniotomy results in much larger changes in activity levels than SRS and radical radiotherapy. Activity levels recover post craniotomy, but this takes > 5 days.
Using wearable activity monitors in brain tumour patients is feasible, although there are multiple practical problems. Interpreting such data will require consideration of inpatient vs. outpatient settings.