Evaluation of bed rest using a bed temperature monitor after acute myocardial infarction

Recently, early ambulation has been introduced to treat patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In order to perform early rehabilitation, physical activity should be evaluated during not only exercise, but also bed rest. In this preliminary study, the body movement, as an index of physical activity, of AMI patients in the authors' coronary care unit was determined. Body movement was estimated using a bed temperature evaluation function, which correlated to increased heart rate. The total number of body movements increased day by day. This method could be used as an index of physical activity of AMI patients during bed rest to guide early rehabilitation.