Trial of electronic devices to monitor post surgery pain

UCLH consultants are studying the effects of inpatients using portable electronic devices to report and self-manage pain after surgery.

Together with the UCLH Innovation Office, consultant anaesthetists Dr Stephen Cone, Dr Martin Lees and Dr Brigitta Brandner have developed software that allows patients to easily report pain symptoms at regular intervals. Using the device patients can access physiotherapist-led exercises, relaxation guides, games and other media to help self-management. 

A trial has just been completed where inpatients were asked to use the software and testify how easy it was to use the different functions. Early results show positive impact. For one group use of the device resulted in having their morphine requirements reduced. The full, comprehensive results are currently being analysed with a view to the analysis being  completed  in August 2014.

Dr Brandner said: “I am excited that this initiative could empower patients to have better self-control over their pain in the future.”

The results of this study will provide an evidence base for the benefits of ‘app’ type technology developments for patients and staff.

A pre and post exposure microbiology analysis of the devices has also been undertaken by the UCLH Environmental Microbiology team to study the likely bacterial contamination on the devices after use and the impact of standard cleaning techniques.