Comparing Gamification With Remote Monitoring Against Standard Rehabilitation, for Patients After Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression Surgery

Background:

Musculoskeletal problems are one of the most common reasons for seeking medical advice, with estimates of up to 20% of adults annually consulting their general practitioner. The prevalence of shoulder problems in the population is approximately 2.5%(Jordon et al 2010). In 2012/13, there were over 7.1 million outpatient appointments for trauma and orthopaedics in England (accounting for 9.3% of all outpatient attendances) and over 4 million of these visits were followup after the initial consultation (Hospital Episode Statistics). The average cost for each outpatient follow up is £76. At a time when the NHS is under considerable financial burden we are constantly looking at ways and means of reducing the number of outpatient appointments and the length of time for which a patient required followup. By improving rehabilitation protocols patients may complete their recovery more rapidly which may reduce clinician patient face-to-face interactions. This may free up this valuable resource which can be directed towards more complex clinical requirements.

Patient Engagement:

One of the major factors that influence patient outcomes is their engagement with the rehabilitation program.

Rehabilitation professionals have long suspected that a patient's motivation plays an important role in determining the outcome of therapy, despite the lack of a clear definition of the phenomenon (Maclean et al. 2002). It is estimated that up to 65% of patients are non/partially adherent to their home exercise program (Meichenbaum 1987). Classically, patients have completed home exercise diaries. However, studies have suggested that these are often completed retrospectively. This may encourage patients to exaggerate the amount of activity performed. Hoelscher at al (1984), timed patients at home performing a relaxation exercise program and compared this to patient reported duration. They found that the latter tended to suggest a higher level of adherence. The Exergames programmes actively track patient interaction with the software. Each activity records the length of interaction, progress through rehabilitation allowing the clinician to have a clearer indication of patient engagement in rehabilitation.

Patient activation describes the knowledge, skills and confidence a person has in managing their own health and health care. Intervening to increase activation can improve a patient's engagement and health outcomes. This is an important factor in helping patients manage their health (Kings Fund 2015). As a part of this study we will quantify patient engagement. Through this we can develop and validate a new tool to comprehensively measure patient outcomes using four domains. These will be Patient reported pain and function (P), shoulder range of movement i.e.

Kinematics (K), patient activation or engagement (E) and patient experience (X).

Gamification:

Traditional evaluation of the patient's range of motion usually occurs in a clinic, often using subjective and informal methods of angle measurement. This has the potential to create discrepancies in findings between clinicians. To reduce the use of healthcare resources, make the clinical assessment more convenient for the patient, to improve the quality of the information collected and the assessment conducted, electronic measurement has the potential to perform repeatable validated objective results.

If combined with appropriate principles of gamification, these measurements can become a part of the rehabilitation process with potentially faster clinical improvement and comprehensive analysis of patient generated outcomes. In light of this, there has been a wave of support for the implementation of gaming elements in healthcare technologies.

'Gamification' involves the incorporation of game mechanics in a non-game setting and a tailored user interface for better learning which encourages engagement (King 2013). Reward systems, competition and immediate feedback improve user experience and have been implemented in healthcare related fields where patients have become a niche target group (Lin 2013). This may in turn increase patient activation allowing them to manage their own health.

MIRA:

MIRA Rehab is a company who has developed software designed for the rehabilitation of medical conditions.

Combined with a Microsoft Kinect sensor it accurately traces the range of motion in the shoulder. MIRA uses games which are built based upon the best clinical practice and expertise from specialist clinicians. The MIRA programme enables patients to progress through different levels within the games whilst engaging in their rehabilitation programme.

Research Design and Methodology:

Methodology:

90 patients will be recruited to a 3 month rehabilitation programme following a standard subacromial decompression

+/biceps tenotomy for impingement syndrome. Patients will be randomised into two groups:

1. Standard postoperative physiotherapy regime without the use of accessory software (Treatment as usual Group).
2. Postoperative regime of physiotherapy plus Exergames utilizing principles of gamification.

Power calculation:

A sample size calculation was performed using Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) sample data collected on patients previously undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression. [Alpha error set at 0.05, and beta error at 0.8, mean difference of 5 points12 in the OSS, standard deviation 6.96] Based upon this, a sample size of 32 patients in each group would be required.

A second sample size calculation was performed based on the disabilities of arm shoulder and hand (DASH) outcome measure. [Alpha error set at 0.05, and beta error at 0.8, mean difference of 15 points in the DASH13, standard deviation 23] Based upon this, a sample size of 37 patients in each group would be required.

Therefore, a target of 45 patients per group was chosen to allow for some participants withdrawing from the study (20%).

Treatment as usual Group:

Patients will attend physiotherapy on a weekly basis for assessment. They will be assessed for progression and be provided with a home exercise program. Range of motion in their shoulder will be collected on a weekly basis using the MIRA technology. Patients will be required to complete an exercise diary documenting the exercises performed as well as duration and frequency.

Treatment as usual plus Exergames Group:

Prior to commencing the study the physiotherapists will set up and initially demonstrate the Exergames to the intervention participants in the home setting. This will ensure the safety of the patients and address any technological issues that may arise. Patients will attend physiotherapy on a weekly basis as well as partaking in a set of tailored Exergames to play in the home system. The MIRA software will record the patient engagement with the system including number of sessions and duration of play. Patients will also be asked to complete an exercise diary.

VISIT SUMMARY

Baseline (Clinic Consultation):

Patient's eligibility to participate in the study will be assessed; inclusion/ exclusion criteria must be met. The Patient Information Sheet will be given to the patient when they are listed for surgery. Prior to their surgery date, the patient will be contacted by a member of the research team, to see if they would like to participate in the study. Patient will be asked to give their consent to the study on the day of surgery. Past medical history will be reviewed and patient demographics will be documented. Relevant questions and scoring will be taken for baseline reference.

+ 24 hours (following baseline assessments) The patient reported outcome measures questionnaires will be repeated by all patients.

Day 1 Patient attends hospital for surgical treatment. Confirmation of study consent must be confirmed. A study diary will be dispensed to patient. Study coordinator will give full explanation regarding completion of the diary.

Day 7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56,63,70,77.

Patient must attend physiotherapy clinic at day 7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56,63,70,77. A scheduled visit window to allow flexibility is +/- 2 days. Patient is to continue with their post-operative physiotherapy regime depending on the treatment group they have been randomised. Range of Movement will be assessed and documented by the research physiotherapist. Each patient diary will be reviewed and assessed.

Day 84/85 Patient diary will be reviewed and returned. On completion of the 12 week programme all patients (N=90) will complete all outcome questionnaires, Patients randomised to Exergames arm will complete a Systems Usability score for the MIRA software. Range of movement will be recorded by MIRA and documented by the research physio-therapist.

Day 365 One year post surgery all patients (N=90) will complete the scoring questionnaires.