Wearable devices successfully detect early signs of disease
According to a systematic review and meta-analysis, wearable devices can identify atrial fibrillation, COVID-19 and falls.
Scientists at the University of South Australia (Adelaide, Australia) consolidated 28 studies from over 1.2 million participants and highlighted that consumer-grade wearables offer the potential for early disease detection.
Wearables are becoming increasingly popular for monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, stress levels and more. Using these same devices to identify medical conditions in real-time could enable a quicker response in seeking the relevant treatment.
The study, which followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, specifically uncovered that wearable devices correctly identified COVID-19 in 88 out of 100 individuals, a similar accuracy to rapid tests. Whilst for atrial fibrillation, wearables picked up on 87 out of 100 cases, which is close to the frequency identified by doctors. Additionally, the wearable devices tracked falls for 82 out of 100 people. The devices used in the studies varied widely and included Apple watches, Fitbits, Oura rings and others.
Arrhythmias detected through your wrists
A wristband can assist patients in recording and monitoring heart rhythm disorder such as atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.
Not only do wearables allow for real-time tracking of conditions, but they are also cost effective. This is becoming increasingly important as healthcare costs soar.
Ben Singh, lead researcher of the study (University of South Australia) commented: “Our systematic review shows that wearable activity trackers like Fitbits and Apple Watches have significant promise in detecting COVID-19 and heart conditions in real-world settings, which has the potential to improve personal health monitoring.”
While these findings are promising, further research is needed to show that these findings are applicable to diverse populations.
As Carol Maher, a co-author on the study (University of South Australia) concluded, “Wearable trackers are providing some excellent health data, but their application must encompass a greater number of health conditions and demonstrate greater results across diverse populations before they can be considered for clinical practice.”
