A recent study indicates that wearable devices, like smartwatches, are effective in identifying early signs of various diseases, including COVID-19, heart conditions, and falls. The research, conducted by the University of South Australia and published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research mHealth and uHealth, analyzed data from 28 studies involving 1.2 million participants.
The findings reveal that smartwatches and activity trackers can accurately identify COVID-19 in 88% of cases, a result comparable to rapid screening tests. Additionally, these devices were able to detect atrial fibrillation—an irregular and rapid heartbeat—in 87% of cases. Falls were identified in 82% of instances using these devices.
Originally designed to monitor fitness and physical activity, wearable technology has evolved to track various health metrics, including blood pressure, heart rate, sleep quality, skin temperature, and stress levels. Many devices now also monitor menstrual cycles, using temperature sensors to predict periods and ovulation.
Lead researcher Ben Singh from the University of South Australia commented, “Our systematic review shows that wearable activity trackers have significant potential for detecting COVID-19 and heart conditions in everyday settings, potentially enhancing personal health monitoring.”
The study highlights that while many previous studies focused on detecting COVID-19, fewer examined cardiac conditions and falls. Despite the strong performance of these devices, the most promising results were seen in detecting atrial fibrillation, where wearables demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity.
Sensitivity and specificity measure how accurately a device identifies true and false positives or negatives. The researchers noted that the wearables’ performance in detecting atrial fibrillation is comparable to other clinical tests.
Singh added, “Wearable trackers not only allow individuals to manage their health proactively but also enable real-time detection of health issues, helping people respond quickly and potentially prevent serious conditions.”
Early detection of health conditions can lead to timely treatment, which significantly improves treatment outcomes.
