In this study we asked patients to wear the accelerometer at home for a week doing their usual activities. Patients were asked to wear the monitor continuously on their wrist for 7 days and given instructions to take home about the monitor. At the end of 7-days, they were asked to complete a questionnaire on how they found wearing the monitor and return the monitor back to the dialysis centre at their next appointment or in a pre-paid envelope.

Overall, 40 patients were asked to participate; 20 patients receiving dialysis and 20 patients who may need dialysis in the future.

A high proportion of participants agreed that the monitor was comfortable and was easy to wear for 7-days. Most participants reported instructions on wearing the device and returning the device were straightforward. Almost all the participants wore the monitor each day with the majority wearing it for 24-hours a day. When we compared the information from the accelerometer against the measurements of physical function and activity in the clinic, we found that the physical activity measurement from the device was related to the clinic measurements.

This feasibility study demonstrated that the device can be successfully used by patients in their own homes and so we can progress to research further whether this remote monitoring could be used to identify patients who may be at risk of becoming frail and need extra support.