Digital Health: Wearable Devices To Monitor Health

Sarah Shelby, Jennifer Martinez, Megan Will, Kamla Brown, and Ingrid Ramos
University of South Florida

Introduction Findings A Growing Industry References

Digital Health is transforming healthcare, allowing both consumers (i.e.
patients) and health providers a way to access all things health with a touch
of a button. Digital health offer ways for providers and consumers to to
create and share health information, research, seek care, and even
prescribe medicine (Lupton, 2017). A great example of digital health is
wearable devices.
A wearable device is a technological accessory that is worn on the body
(Dehghani & Dangelico, 2018). Wearable health devices have gained
increasing popularity over the years. There are a wide range of different
wearable devices that can best suit a variety of health conditions. The use
of these devices can help people to be more in tune with their health and
health conditions while also providing clinicians access to trends in health
which can assist in early diagnoses and guide treatment (Dias & Cunha,
2018).
Benefits
• Increase patient empowerment
• Increase patient compliance in health regimen
• Provide a more precise picture of overall health
• Easy to use
• Cost effective
• Can lead to decrease hospital admissions
• Data can be collected from wearable devices to use in clinical trials
• Can provide early identification to potential health issues
• Wearable devices serve as an efficient and reliable way to manage
health in different areas of medicine such as, cardiopulmonary, vascular,
endocrine, neurological function and rehabilitation (Appelboom, et al.,
2014).
• A study conducted in 2011 used a wearable device that used inertial
sensors that gave auditory and visual feedback, demonstrating a
rehabilitative approach to wearable devices. The results showed, that
patients with cerebral palsy related gait disorders had a 21% residual
short term improvement in walking speed and 8% increase in stride
length with visual feedback, along with an average of 25% improvement
in walking speed and 13% in stride length for auditory feedback
(Appelboom, et al., 2014).
• The Apple watch and FitBit were examined in a study to determine the
heart rate accuracy compared to an ECG. Data was collected during
consumer sitting, walking, running, activities of daily living (i.e. grooming,
eating), and sleeping. The data showed that both the FitBit and Apple
watch provided satisfactory heart rate accuracy during each activity. The
apple watch had an error percentage of 5.86% beats per minute (bpm)
compared to the ECG. The FitBit had an error percentage of 5.96%
when compared to the ECG. This means that both electronic devices
serve as reliable tools to monitor and track the heart rate (Nelson &
Allen, 2019).
Examples
• Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre – allows continuous monitoring of
glucose levels through a painless wearable patch that transmit
data to a phone application.
• Apple Watch – heart monitoring, tracks activity levels,
monitors sleep, and has ECG monitoring (Series 4).
• Empatica Embrace – wristband that tracks seizure activity
and alerts caregivers via SMS notification and a call if
identifies activity patterns associated with seizures.
• iRhythm Zio Patch– wearable continuous ECG monitoring
device.
• GI Logic AbStats - noninvasive monitoring device that
monitors digestion activity for postoperative patients by
recording bowel sounds
• Fitbit – wearable that monitors physical activity, heart rate,
and sleep patterns. It also contains programs for individuals
with diabetes, hypertension, tobacco cessation, and weight
loss.
The global market for wearable devices was valued in the United States at
10.3 billion dollars in 2018 and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is
expected to increase 26.1% by 2026. Wearable devices that focus on home
healthcare, remote patient monitoring, health, and fitness are predicted to
be the driving force that increases sales.
Below is a graph that outlines the expected growth for wearable medical
devices ("Wearable Medical Device Market Analysis: Industry Report,
2019-2026", 2019).
Evaluation
Smart watches are constantly evolving with digital health. The most recent
update noted is that they can detect when heart rates reach abnormal values
from baseline and alerts the wearer of issues. The most recent update noted
on the cardiac monitoring of the watches is the ability to detect arrhythmias
like atrial fibrillation. The watches use photoplethysmography that measures
blood flow activity that can detect an irregular beat (American College of
Cardiology, 2019). Early detection of arrhythmias allow for prevention of
strokes by early initiation of therapies including anticoagulation (American
College of Cardiology, 2019).
Wearable devices have been incredibly beneficial in the healthcare field. It has
allowed individuals to easily monitor their health by tracking their activity, vital
signs, and sleep cycles. These devices don’t interrupt individual’s daily routine
and are comfortable to wear (Dias & Cunha, 2018). Wearables have helped
individuals become more interested in their health along with improving the
quality of healthcare (Dias & Cunha, 2018).
Evaluation
Conclusion
1. American College of Cardiology. (2019, March 16). Apple heart study
identifies AFib in small group of apple watch wearers. Retrieved from
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2019/03/08/15/32/sat-9a
m-apple-heart-study-acc-2019
2. Appelboom, G., Camacho, E., Abraham, M. E., Bruce, S. S., Dumont, E.
L., Zacharia, B. E., . . . Connolly, E. S. (2014). Smart wearable body
sensors for patient self-assessment and monitoring. Archives of Public
Health, 72(1). doi:10.1186/2049-3258-72-28
3. Bouria, A. (2018, January 19). 5 Key trends for the future of
healthcare. World Economic Forum. [Blog]. Retrieved
from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/this-is-what-the-future-of
-healthcare-looks-like/
4. Dehghani, M., Kim, K. J., & Dangelico, R. M. (2018). Will smartwatches
last? Factors contributing to intention to keep using smart wearable
technology. Telematics and Informatics, 35(2), 480-490.
5. Dias, D., & Cunha, J. P. (2018). Wearable health devices—Vital sign
monitoring, Systems and technologies. Sensors,18(8), 2414.
doi:10.3390/s18082414
6. Lupton, D. (2017). Digital health now and in the future: Findings from a
participatory design stakeholder workshop. Digital Health, 3,
205520761774001. doi:10.1177/2055207617740018
7. Nelson, B. W., & Allen, N. B. (2019). Accuracy of Consumer Wearable
Heart Rate Measurement During an Ecologically Valid 24-Hour Period:
Intraindividual Validation Study. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 7(3).
doi:10.2196/10828
8. Wearable Medical Device Market Analysis: Industry Report, 2019-2026.
(2019, April). Retrieved from
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/wearable-medical
-devices-market

Overall, the use of wearable technology has rapidly increased within the past
years. A wearable device isn’t just an extension of the smartphone. There are
many options available to patients when searching for the right wearable
device. There is a wide range of price points and features that can improve a
patient’s overall well-being. These devices have empowered and motivated
patients to manage and control their health (Dias & Cunha, 2018). These
devices have also helped identify potential health conditions earlier. It has
enhanced patients lives in several ways.

University of South Florida College of Nursing Tampa, Florida