Conclusions
Combining the wearing of an accelerometer with an educational PA intervention using an ICT-based portable multipatient PA monitoring system showed potential for increasing activity and exercise tolerance in hospitalized patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The appropriate use of a simple and articulate feedback system during hospitalization periods could help patients reach the necessary amount of activity during hospitalization. Our findings support the rationale and feasibility of a future clinical trial to test the efficacy of the educational intervention using a multipatient PA monitoring system in improving the PA and physical function of in-hospital patients. We hope that further validation will confirm the usefulness of a PA monitoring system, such as that used in this study.This research was funded by the Nakatomi Foundation and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grant Numbers 21H03309 and 22K17571). The manuscript of this study was written in original, checked for grammar using Artificial Intelligence, and then proofread by a professional grammar checker.Authors' Contributions: MY and KK designed the study plan; MY, NH, SU, TN, and EM collected the data; MY, KK, SU, and TN performed randomization and intervention; and MY performed the analysis and wrote the draft. All authors revised the draft and agreed on the final version. JA managed the study project.Conflicts of Interest: MY has no conflicts of interest to disclose in the conduct of this study, although he belongs to the company, holds company stock (less than 5% of the total), and receives a salary as one of the directors of an employer. The monitoring system used in this study has been submitted as a patent by KK (system and method for monitoring activity levels, number 2021-131698). The other authors also have no conflicts of interest to declare.CONSORT-eHEALTH checklist (V 1.6.1).Materials summarizing the exclusion criteria and the results of the sensitivity analysis in this study.An explanatory video of the multiperson physical activity monitoring system.