All Articles

From fitness tracking to health monitoring: What wearables can do

Article
December 20, 2021
By
Ehab Naim, MBA.

Wearables contribute to longevity through monitoring and preventing diseases and promoting healthy active lifestyle.

Highlights

  • Wearable devices have multiple applications, including fitness tracking, health monitoring, disease prevention, diagnosis, learning, food safety, and others
  • Wearables include devices that can be fitted on clothes or parts of the body like the head, arms, and torso
  • Wearables contribute to longevity through monitoring and preventing diseases and promoting healthy active lifestyle


Introduction

Wearable devices are gadgets equipped with biosensors that allow real-time, continuous, and non-invasive monitoring of several physical parameters and vital signs. These biometric parameters include the heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation etc. Information from these digital wearables can be used to determine the overall health status of individuals wearing them. Additionally, sensors in these devices can monitor and prevent acute and chronic diseases and provide a preliminary medical diagnosis. Wearable devices include watches, clothes, glasses, lenses, and others.


Arm-mounted devices


Wearable devices fixed on the arm are common and have various uses, such as fitness tracking, health monitoring or diagnosis. In a systematic review by Cheatham et al., weight loss intervention using activity trackers provided better outcomes in terms of body mass and physical activity compared to standard programs (1).

Wearable non-invasive devices with health monitoring functionality have been commercially available for decades. One such example is the GlucoWatch® biographer (2). This wrist-mounted device was the first non-invasive device approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 20 years ago. As the name suggests, it was used to monitor glucose levels in diabetic patients (3). This device measured the glucose level in blood using interstitial fluid through the principle of reverse iontophoresis. In this process, an electric potential is created between an anode and a cathode that draws Na+ and Cl- ions from the interstitial fluid along with glucose. Another example of a wrist-mounted, non-invasive glucose monitoring device is Pendra® (2).


In cardiovascular health, the use of commercially available smartwatches to monitor heart rate has been explored. To determine the usability of such a device in detecting atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a predisposing factor to stroke, a study was initiated (4). Results of the study conducted by Dörr et al. highlighted that tested commercial smartwatches have the potential to detect AF, therefore preventing stroke. Measurements taken by the smartwatch and analyzed by a specialized algorithm were sufficient to detect AF with an accuracy exceeding 96%. Results of the latter trial were confirmed by a recent meta-analysis that found that studied smartwatches could detect cardiac arrhythmias with an accuracy of 97% (5). The use of smartwatches has also been employed in movement disorders. In one study, the gyroscope functionality of smartwatches was used to detect tremors in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (6). In this study, the application of smartwatches was useful, reliable, and correlated with results obtained using clinical scores. Additionally, the satisfaction level with the device was measured and found to be 83%. The use of arm-mounted devices in psychiatry has also been explored. Psychological stress is known to have negative effects such as increased suicide rates and decreased work productivity (7). Its influence extends beyond individuals and to societies. According to the American Psychological Association, job-related stress costs the U.S. economy $300 billion annually (7). The latter, along with the limited options to continuously monitor psychological stress, prompted Yoon et al. to create a patch that can monitor the mental status through multiple modes. The investigators concluded that the wearable patch shows potential for monitoring the emotional status of the wearer (7).


The use of wrist-mounted devices has also been explored in preventive medicine. It is well known that hypertension is among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide (8). In the United States, about 1 in every two individuals over the age of 20 are diagnosed with hypertension. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to a multitude of medical conditions like heart and kidney disorders (8). Despite being a serious condition, hypertension is preventable (9). To test the efficacy of commercially available smartwatches in monitoring blood pressure, Yen and Huang initiated a randomized controlled trial. Results of the trial revealed that participants who used the smartwatches had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rates (9). This highlights the potential of wearable devices in preventing not only hypertension but also in decreasing other diseases that arise due to the condition.


In rehabilitative therapy, the use of wrist-mounted devices has been investigated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 795,000 cases of strokes every year in the United States (10). Additionally, it is one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world (11). To determine the feasibility of using arm-mounted devices in assessing and rehabilitating upper extremities after strokes, Kim et al. performed a literature review (12). Results from 43 reviewed articles highlighted that wearable biosensor could be used in rehabilitative settings both early after stroke and at later stages when the patient is discharged from the hospital. The authors concluded that these wearables could improve rehabilitation, assess motor function, and improve adherence.  



Other forms of wearable devices


The applicability of wearable devices extends beyond the arm. For example, a Swiss company named Sensimed created a wearable contact lens capable of measuring changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in real-time (13). This lens can provide the ophthalmologist responsible for the patient’s case with live changes in IOP through communicating with a smart device. This device offers excellent value in terms of disease diagnosis and progression monitoring. In other areas, the use of wearable contact lenses for continuous glucose monitoring has also been explored (14). The study results appear to be promising with applications in point-of-care testing (POC). The latter term refers to administering diagnostic tests at or near the patient’s location.
The potential to use electrodes embedded in textiles (e-textiles) for various applications has been studied (3). In one study, electrochemical sensors for quantitative analysis of sweat have been mounted on t-shirts (15). In other studies, e-textiles have been utilized to monitor physiological parameters, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature (3). Results obtained showed promising outcomes with regard to the applicability of this wearable technology (3, 15).  
The application of biosensors to gloves has also been investigated. In one study, a glove fitted with an electrochemical biosensor to detect organophosphorus compounds (OCs) has been tested (16). These compounds are known for their adverse effects on the nervous system and may even lead to death. Results of the study highlighted that the biosensor detected the presence of OCs in tested food material and relayed the information to a smartphone in real-time. These results demonstrate promising usability of such device in food health and safety, where such technology can provide rapid point-of-use screening tools to detect contaminants.
Experimental eyeglasses with eye-tracking sensors capable of screening, detecting, and assisting in the preliminary diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson’s disease are being tested (17). The rationale behind this wearable device is that eye tremor is a very effective parameter for the early diagnosis of the disease (17). Additionally, the applicability of this device can be extended to other neurological disorders.
In addition to the wearables above, other devices include smart belts, which are designed to monitor information regarding waist size, mobility, or food intake (3). Chest straps are another type of wearables with the capacity to provide information related to heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and other parameters (3). Rings also represent a form of wearable device. An example of the latter is the Oura ring, which can measure the heart rate and skin temperature to determine menstrual cycle and ovulation times (18).


Fusing technology with various wearables


The potential usability of wearables is maximized when integrated with technologies like smart sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, and the internet of things (IoT) (13). Chang et al. utilized AI and IoT integrated into a hat to help children learn to identify objects without the need for adults input (19). Such technology would increase the learning capacity of children compared to traditional learning. Results of the study presented promising outcomes, where the accuracy in identifying objects exceeded 90%. The authors also highlighted that the future direction for this technology involves creating a more engaging interactive experience. In another study, an arm-mounted biosensor coupled with machine-learning was used to monitor patients who contracted COVID-19 to check their health and detect clinical deterioration as early as possible (20). Early recognition of deterioration is critical for successful clinical management of COVID-19. The biosensor was used to measure several parameters like heart rate, oxygen saturation, among others. Results of the study revealed that the biosensor was able to detect over 94% of clinical worsening events prior to their detection in the ward. The study concluded that the coupled technology allowed early detection of patients at risk of deterioration, thus demonstrating value.


Connecting the dots


Health promotion and disease prevention contribute to improved longevity (21). This area is where wearables overlap with longevity. As highlighted earlier, wearables have broad applicability in various disease prevention and monitoring settings; therefore, they could promote longevity. Additionally, the fitness tracking functionality that is available with most wearables can improve the lifestyle habits of individuals wearing them (1). An example of a parameter that is connected to longevity and well measured by available wearables is the heart rate (3, 22, 23). Potential gains in longevity can act as a driver for users to utilize the benefits that their wearables offer. Currently, ongoing studies are exploring the potential use of wearables in predicting age (24). Results appear to be promising, therefore prompting further research into this area.


Conclusion


Wearable devices come in all shapes and sizes, covering various aspects of health, ranging from fitness tracking to disease detection, monitoring, and prevention (25). Despite having high applicability potential in various medical fields, they have certain limitations. Concerns related to user privacy, data sharing policy, user resistance to such technology, misuse, and others are among the limitations (26, 27). Hence, to ensure a satisfactory experience with these devices, users are encouraged to assess the advantages and limitations of each device before using it.


References


1.         Cheatham SW, Stull KR, Fantigrassi M, Motel I. The efficacy of wearable activity tracking technology as part of a weight loss program: a systematic review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018;58(4):534-48.
2.         Vashist SK. Non-invasive glucose monitoring technology in diabetes management: A review. Analytica chimica acta. 2012;750:16-27.
3.         Guk K, Han G, Lim J, Jeong K, Kang T, Lim E-K, et al. Evolution of wearable devices with real-time disease monitoring for personalized healthcare. Nanomaterials. 2019;9(6):813.
4.         Dörr M, Nohturfft V, Brasier N, Bosshard E, Djurdjevic A, Gross S, et al. The WATCH AF trial: SmartWATCHes for detection of atrial fibrillation. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 2019;5(2):199-208.
5.         Nazarian S, Lam K, Darzi A, Ashrafian H. Diagnostic Accuracy of Smartwatches for the Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of medical Internet research. 2021;23(8):e28974.
6.         López-Blanco R, Velasco MA, Méndez-Guerrero A, Romero JP, Del Castillo MD, Serrano JI, et al. Smartwatch for the analysis of rest tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease. Journal of the neurological sciences. 2019;401:37-42.
7.         Yoon S, Sim JK, Cho Y-H. A flexible and wearable human stress monitoring patch. Scientific reports. 2016;6(1):1-11.
8.         Kalehoff JP, Oparil S. The story of the silent killer. Current Hypertension Reports. 2020;22(9):1-14.
9.         Yen HY, Huang WH. The efficacy of commercial smartwatches with a blood pressure‐monitoring feature: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2021.
10.       Stroke Facts Cdc.gov: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021 [Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm.
11.       Katan M, Luft A, editors. Global burden of stroke2018: Thieme Medical Publishers.
12.       Kim GJ, Parnandi A, Eva S, Schambra H. The use of wearable sensors to assess and treat the upper extremity after stroke: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2021:1-20.
13.       Lee SM, Lee D. Healthcare wearable devices: an analysis of key factors for continuous use intention. Service Business. 2020;14(4):503-31.
14.       Elsherif M, Hassan MU, Yetisen AK, Butt H. Wearable contact lens biosensors for continuous glucose monitoring using smartphones. ACS nano. 2018;12(6):5452-62.
15.       Liu X, Lillehoj PB. Embroidered electrochemical sensors for biomolecular detection. Lab on a Chip. 2016;16(11):2093-8.
16.       Mishra RK, Hubble LJ, Martín A, Kumar R, Barfidokht A, Kim J, et al. Wearable flexible and stretchable glove biosensor for on-site detection of organophosphorus chemical threats. ACS sensors. 2017;2(4):553-61.
17.       Avalle M, Belotti V, Frascio M, Razzoli R, editors. Development of a wearable device for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases2021: IOP Publishing.
18.       Baker FC, Siboza F, Fuller A. Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle. Temperature. 2020;7(3):226-62.
19.       Chang IH, Keh H-C, Dande B, Roy DS. Smart hat: design and implementation of a wearable learning device for kids using AI and IoTs techniques. Journal of Internet Technology. 2020;21(2):593-604.
20.       Un K-C, Wong C-K, Lau Y-M, Lee JC-Y, Tam FC-C, Lai W-H, et al. Observational study on wearable biosensors and machine learning-based remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients. Scientific reports. 2021;11(1):1-9.
21.       Crimmins EM. Lifespan and healthspan: past, present, and promise. The Gerontologist. 2015;55(6):901-11.
22.       Hernández-Vicente A, Hernando D, Santos-Lozano A, Rodríguez-Romo G, Vicente-Rodríguez G, Pueyo E, et al. Heart rate variability and exceptional longevity. Frontiers in Physiology. 2020;11:1164.
23.       Zulfiqar U, Jurivich DA, Gao W, Singer DH. Relation of high heart rate variability to healthy longevity. The American journal of cardiology. 2010;105(8):1181-5.
24.       McIntyre RL, Rahman M, Vanapalli SA, Houtkooper RH, Janssens GE. Biological Age Prediction From Wearable Device Movement Data Identifies Nutritional and Pharmacological Interventions for Healthy Aging. Frontiers in Aging. 2021:26.
25.       Tran V-T, Riveros C, Ravaud P. Patients’ views of wearable devices and AI in healthcare: findings from the ComPaRe e-cohort. NPJ digital medicine. 2019;2(1):1-8.
26.       Banerjee S, Hemphill T, Longstreet P. Wearable devices and healthcare: Data sharing and privacy. The Information Society. 2018;34(1):49-57.
27.       Datta P, Namin AS, Chatterjee M, editors. A survey of privacy concerns in wearable devices2018: IEEE.

Highlights

  • Wearable devices have multiple applications, including fitness tracking, health monitoring, disease prevention, diagnosis, learning, food safety, and others
  • Wearables include devices that can be fitted on clothes or parts of the body like the head, arms, and torso
  • Wearables contribute to longevity through monitoring and preventing diseases and promoting healthy active lifestyle


Introduction

Wearable devices are gadgets equipped with biosensors that allow real-time, continuous, and non-invasive monitoring of several physical parameters and vital signs. These biometric parameters include the heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation etc. Information from these digital wearables can be used to determine the overall health status of individuals wearing them. Additionally, sensors in these devices can monitor and prevent acute and chronic diseases and provide a preliminary medical diagnosis. Wearable devices include watches, clothes, glasses, lenses, and others.


Arm-mounted devices


Wearable devices fixed on the arm are common and have various uses, such as fitness tracking, health monitoring or diagnosis. In a systematic review by Cheatham et al., weight loss intervention using activity trackers provided better outcomes in terms of body mass and physical activity compared to standard programs (1).

Wearable non-invasive devices with health monitoring functionality have been commercially available for decades. One such example is the GlucoWatch® biographer (2). This wrist-mounted device was the first non-invasive device approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 20 years ago. As the name suggests, it was used to monitor glucose levels in diabetic patients (3). This device measured the glucose level in blood using interstitial fluid through the principle of reverse iontophoresis. In this process, an electric potential is created between an anode and a cathode that draws Na+ and Cl- ions from the interstitial fluid along with glucose. Another example of a wrist-mounted, non-invasive glucose monitoring device is Pendra® (2).


In cardiovascular health, the use of commercially available smartwatches to monitor heart rate has been explored. To determine the usability of such a device in detecting atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a predisposing factor to stroke, a study was initiated (4). Results of the study conducted by Dörr et al. highlighted that tested commercial smartwatches have the potential to detect AF, therefore preventing stroke. Measurements taken by the smartwatch and analyzed by a specialized algorithm were sufficient to detect AF with an accuracy exceeding 96%. Results of the latter trial were confirmed by a recent meta-analysis that found that studied smartwatches could detect cardiac arrhythmias with an accuracy of 97% (5). The use of smartwatches has also been employed in movement disorders. In one study, the gyroscope functionality of smartwatches was used to detect tremors in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (6). In this study, the application of smartwatches was useful, reliable, and correlated with results obtained using clinical scores. Additionally, the satisfaction level with the device was measured and found to be 83%. The use of arm-mounted devices in psychiatry has also been explored. Psychological stress is known to have negative effects such as increased suicide rates and decreased work productivity (7). Its influence extends beyond individuals and to societies. According to the American Psychological Association, job-related stress costs the U.S. economy $300 billion annually (7). The latter, along with the limited options to continuously monitor psychological stress, prompted Yoon et al. to create a patch that can monitor the mental status through multiple modes. The investigators concluded that the wearable patch shows potential for monitoring the emotional status of the wearer (7).


The use of wrist-mounted devices has also been explored in preventive medicine. It is well known that hypertension is among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide (8). In the United States, about 1 in every two individuals over the age of 20 are diagnosed with hypertension. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to a multitude of medical conditions like heart and kidney disorders (8). Despite being a serious condition, hypertension is preventable (9). To test the efficacy of commercially available smartwatches in monitoring blood pressure, Yen and Huang initiated a randomized controlled trial. Results of the trial revealed that participants who used the smartwatches had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rates (9). This highlights the potential of wearable devices in preventing not only hypertension but also in decreasing other diseases that arise due to the condition.


In rehabilitative therapy, the use of wrist-mounted devices has been investigated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 795,000 cases of strokes every year in the United States (10). Additionally, it is one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world (11). To determine the feasibility of using arm-mounted devices in assessing and rehabilitating upper extremities after strokes, Kim et al. performed a literature review (12). Results from 43 reviewed articles highlighted that wearable biosensor could be used in rehabilitative settings both early after stroke and at later stages when the patient is discharged from the hospital. The authors concluded that these wearables could improve rehabilitation, assess motor function, and improve adherence.  



Other forms of wearable devices


The applicability of wearable devices extends beyond the arm. For example, a Swiss company named Sensimed created a wearable contact lens capable of measuring changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in real-time (13). This lens can provide the ophthalmologist responsible for the patient’s case with live changes in IOP through communicating with a smart device. This device offers excellent value in terms of disease diagnosis and progression monitoring. In other areas, the use of wearable contact lenses for continuous glucose monitoring has also been explored (14). The study results appear to be promising with applications in point-of-care testing (POC). The latter term refers to administering diagnostic tests at or near the patient’s location.
The potential to use electrodes embedded in textiles (e-textiles) for various applications has been studied (3). In one study, electrochemical sensors for quantitative analysis of sweat have been mounted on t-shirts (15). In other studies, e-textiles have been utilized to monitor physiological parameters, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature (3). Results obtained showed promising outcomes with regard to the applicability of this wearable technology (3, 15).  
The application of biosensors to gloves has also been investigated. In one study, a glove fitted with an electrochemical biosensor to detect organophosphorus compounds (OCs) has been tested (16). These compounds are known for their adverse effects on the nervous system and may even lead to death. Results of the study highlighted that the biosensor detected the presence of OCs in tested food material and relayed the information to a smartphone in real-time. These results demonstrate promising usability of such device in food health and safety, where such technology can provide rapid point-of-use screening tools to detect contaminants.
Experimental eyeglasses with eye-tracking sensors capable of screening, detecting, and assisting in the preliminary diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson’s disease are being tested (17). The rationale behind this wearable device is that eye tremor is a very effective parameter for the early diagnosis of the disease (17). Additionally, the applicability of this device can be extended to other neurological disorders.
In addition to the wearables above, other devices include smart belts, which are designed to monitor information regarding waist size, mobility, or food intake (3). Chest straps are another type of wearables with the capacity to provide information related to heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and other parameters (3). Rings also represent a form of wearable device. An example of the latter is the Oura ring, which can measure the heart rate and skin temperature to determine menstrual cycle and ovulation times (18).


Fusing technology with various wearables


The potential usability of wearables is maximized when integrated with technologies like smart sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, and the internet of things (IoT) (13). Chang et al. utilized AI and IoT integrated into a hat to help children learn to identify objects without the need for adults input (19). Such technology would increase the learning capacity of children compared to traditional learning. Results of the study presented promising outcomes, where the accuracy in identifying objects exceeded 90%. The authors also highlighted that the future direction for this technology involves creating a more engaging interactive experience. In another study, an arm-mounted biosensor coupled with machine-learning was used to monitor patients who contracted COVID-19 to check their health and detect clinical deterioration as early as possible (20). Early recognition of deterioration is critical for successful clinical management of COVID-19. The biosensor was used to measure several parameters like heart rate, oxygen saturation, among others. Results of the study revealed that the biosensor was able to detect over 94% of clinical worsening events prior to their detection in the ward. The study concluded that the coupled technology allowed early detection of patients at risk of deterioration, thus demonstrating value.


Connecting the dots


Health promotion and disease prevention contribute to improved longevity (21). This area is where wearables overlap with longevity. As highlighted earlier, wearables have broad applicability in various disease prevention and monitoring settings; therefore, they could promote longevity. Additionally, the fitness tracking functionality that is available with most wearables can improve the lifestyle habits of individuals wearing them (1). An example of a parameter that is connected to longevity and well measured by available wearables is the heart rate (3, 22, 23). Potential gains in longevity can act as a driver for users to utilize the benefits that their wearables offer. Currently, ongoing studies are exploring the potential use of wearables in predicting age (24). Results appear to be promising, therefore prompting further research into this area.


Conclusion


Wearable devices come in all shapes and sizes, covering various aspects of health, ranging from fitness tracking to disease detection, monitoring, and prevention (25). Despite having high applicability potential in various medical fields, they have certain limitations. Concerns related to user privacy, data sharing policy, user resistance to such technology, misuse, and others are among the limitations (26, 27). Hence, to ensure a satisfactory experience with these devices, users are encouraged to assess the advantages and limitations of each device before using it.


References


1.         Cheatham SW, Stull KR, Fantigrassi M, Motel I. The efficacy of wearable activity tracking technology as part of a weight loss program: a systematic review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018;58(4):534-48.
2.         Vashist SK. Non-invasive glucose monitoring technology in diabetes management: A review. Analytica chimica acta. 2012;750:16-27.
3.         Guk K, Han G, Lim J, Jeong K, Kang T, Lim E-K, et al. Evolution of wearable devices with real-time disease monitoring for personalized healthcare. Nanomaterials. 2019;9(6):813.
4.         Dörr M, Nohturfft V, Brasier N, Bosshard E, Djurdjevic A, Gross S, et al. The WATCH AF trial: SmartWATCHes for detection of atrial fibrillation. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 2019;5(2):199-208.
5.         Nazarian S, Lam K, Darzi A, Ashrafian H. Diagnostic Accuracy of Smartwatches for the Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of medical Internet research. 2021;23(8):e28974.
6.         López-Blanco R, Velasco MA, Méndez-Guerrero A, Romero JP, Del Castillo MD, Serrano JI, et al. Smartwatch for the analysis of rest tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease. Journal of the neurological sciences. 2019;401:37-42.
7.         Yoon S, Sim JK, Cho Y-H. A flexible and wearable human stress monitoring patch. Scientific reports. 2016;6(1):1-11.
8.         Kalehoff JP, Oparil S. The story of the silent killer. Current Hypertension Reports. 2020;22(9):1-14.
9.         Yen HY, Huang WH. The efficacy of commercial smartwatches with a blood pressure‐monitoring feature: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2021.
10.       Stroke Facts Cdc.gov: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021 [Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm.
11.       Katan M, Luft A, editors. Global burden of stroke2018: Thieme Medical Publishers.
12.       Kim GJ, Parnandi A, Eva S, Schambra H. The use of wearable sensors to assess and treat the upper extremity after stroke: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2021:1-20.
13.       Lee SM, Lee D. Healthcare wearable devices: an analysis of key factors for continuous use intention. Service Business. 2020;14(4):503-31.
14.       Elsherif M, Hassan MU, Yetisen AK, Butt H. Wearable contact lens biosensors for continuous glucose monitoring using smartphones. ACS nano. 2018;12(6):5452-62.
15.       Liu X, Lillehoj PB. Embroidered electrochemical sensors for biomolecular detection. Lab on a Chip. 2016;16(11):2093-8.
16.       Mishra RK, Hubble LJ, Martín A, Kumar R, Barfidokht A, Kim J, et al. Wearable flexible and stretchable glove biosensor for on-site detection of organophosphorus chemical threats. ACS sensors. 2017;2(4):553-61.
17.       Avalle M, Belotti V, Frascio M, Razzoli R, editors. Development of a wearable device for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases2021: IOP Publishing.
18.       Baker FC, Siboza F, Fuller A. Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle. Temperature. 2020;7(3):226-62.
19.       Chang IH, Keh H-C, Dande B, Roy DS. Smart hat: design and implementation of a wearable learning device for kids using AI and IoTs techniques. Journal of Internet Technology. 2020;21(2):593-604.
20.       Un K-C, Wong C-K, Lau Y-M, Lee JC-Y, Tam FC-C, Lai W-H, et al. Observational study on wearable biosensors and machine learning-based remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients. Scientific reports. 2021;11(1):1-9.
21.       Crimmins EM. Lifespan and healthspan: past, present, and promise. The Gerontologist. 2015;55(6):901-11.
22.       Hernández-Vicente A, Hernando D, Santos-Lozano A, Rodríguez-Romo G, Vicente-Rodríguez G, Pueyo E, et al. Heart rate variability and exceptional longevity. Frontiers in Physiology. 2020;11:1164.
23.       Zulfiqar U, Jurivich DA, Gao W, Singer DH. Relation of high heart rate variability to healthy longevity. The American journal of cardiology. 2010;105(8):1181-5.
24.       McIntyre RL, Rahman M, Vanapalli SA, Houtkooper RH, Janssens GE. Biological Age Prediction From Wearable Device Movement Data Identifies Nutritional and Pharmacological Interventions for Healthy Aging. Frontiers in Aging. 2021:26.
25.       Tran V-T, Riveros C, Ravaud P. Patients’ views of wearable devices and AI in healthcare: findings from the ComPaRe e-cohort. NPJ digital medicine. 2019;2(1):1-8.
26.       Banerjee S, Hemphill T, Longstreet P. Wearable devices and healthcare: Data sharing and privacy. The Information Society. 2018;34(1):49-57.
27.       Datta P, Namin AS, Chatterjee M, editors. A survey of privacy concerns in wearable devices2018: IEEE.

Article reviewed by
Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.
SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL ADVISOR
Quality Garant
Close

Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.

Scientific & Medical Advisor
Quality Garant

Ana has over 20 years of consultancy experience in longevity, regenerative and precision medicine. She has a multifaceted understanding of genomics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, nutrition, aging markers, hormones and physical training. This background allows her to bridge the gap between longevity basic sciences and evidence-based real interventions, putting them into the clinic, to enhance the healthy aging of people. She is co-founder of Origen.life, and Longevityzone. Board member at Breath of Health, BioOx and American Board of Clinical Nutrition. She is Director of International Medical Education of the American College of Integrative Medicine, Professor in IL3 Master of Longevity at Barcelona University and Professor of Nutrigenomics in Nutrition Grade in UNIR University.

DISCOVER
HealthyLongevity.guide
4.6 / 5
Professional science-based education
250+ Articles, video lectures, webinars
Community of 1000+ verified professionals
Sign Up

Read the latest articles

News
HealthyLongevity.guide

Longevity Conferences 2023

January 19, 2023

Curated list of Longevity Conferences, where you can explore the latest research and developments in the field of aging and longevity.

Ehab Naim, MBA.
News
Body
Diagnostics
Medicine

Vascular endothelial senescence: Exploring current and future diagnostic and therapeutic potential

January 18, 2023

Researchers examined endothelial dysfunction, and identified its causes and effects. They evaluated the use of senotherapeutics in fighting age-related ailments.

Ehab Naim, MBA.
News
Nutrition

A Controlled Trial: Eating Almonds May Help in Reducing Obesity

January 4, 2023

Almond consumption might affect appetite and reduce obesity. Researchers analyzed the blood of obese people after eating almonds to find out more.

Reem Abedi
News
Technology
Lifestyle

Physical activity trackers: Shaping behavior to promote healthy aging among older adults

December 29, 2022

Wearing physical activity tracking devices can promote healthy aging, improve population's quality of life, and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Ehab Naim, MBA.
News
Body
Longevity

Gut microbiota taxa analysis could offer a better definition of a healthy microbiome

December 26, 2022

One of the drivers behind the age-related decline is the gut microbiome. In their study, Ghosh et al. analyzed over 21,000 microbiome profiles from seven databases across five continents.

Ehab Naim, MBA.
News
Nutrition

Flavonols consumption from fruit and vegetables delays cognitive decline

December 23, 2022

Flavonols are a type of flavonoids that slow down the decline in episodic and semantic memory, perceptual speed, and working memory. A study anaylzed what exactly is their impact on cognitive health.

Agnieszka Szmitkowska, Ph.D.
News
Disease

Saffron Combined with Aerobic Exercise to address Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

December 21, 2022

Rajabi et al. conducted extensive research on type-2 diabetes patients to investigate the effect of aerobic training and Saffron supplementation for two months.

Reem Abedi
Article
Body
Lifestyle

Which Sport is Best for Longevity?

December 20, 2022

Researchers evaluated which sport is best for longevity. Key components of highly beneficial sports are including a social aspect, engaging both arms and legs, or including whole-body movements.

Jiří Kaloč
News
Aging
Lifestyle
Prevention

Simple lifestyle modifications could reduce the risk of dementia

December 16, 2022

American Heart Association defined ideal values and levels for seven modifiable factors that directly affect cardiovascular health. They include physical activity, smoking, or fasting plasma glucose.

Ehab Naim, MBA.
Video
Lifestyle
Longevity

NATURE EXPOSURE & LONGEVITY (Webinar with Sarah Nielson follow-up + recording)

December 15, 2022

Sarah Nielsen explained the impact of nature exposure on heart rate and blood pressure; how it affects cortisol, inflammation, or anti-cancer proteins; and what you can recommend to your clients.

Reem Abedi
News
No Tag Added

Lower birth weight vs. cardiovascular disease in adulthood

December 15, 2022

A recent article published in the Heart journal demonstrates a connection between lower birth weight, the incidence of myocardial infarction, and adverse left ventricular remodeling.

Agnieszka Szmitkowska, Ph.D.
Article
Lifestyle
Prevention
Aging
Longevity
Nutrition

Key Blue Zones patterns could help with physician burnout

December 6, 2022

There are five areas on Earth where people live significantly longer and disease-free into their late years. What makes them so special? People who live there follow nine simple rules.

Agnieszka Szmitkowska, Ph.D.
News
Medicine
Prevention

Daylight saving time (DST) and mortality patterns in Europe

December 5, 2022

Researchers examined whether daylight saving time affects European mortality patterns. They compared the daily death rates (DDR) for 2 months prior to and after each DST transition.

Reem Abedi
News
Disease

Prostaglandin E2 potentially increases susceptibility to influenza A infection in the elderly

November 30, 2022

A new study tested whether age-related elevation in Prostaglandin E2 is a driver that impairs host defense against influenza.

Ehab Naim, MBA.
Article
Lifestyle
Prevention

Future healthy longevity starts at conception

November 29, 2022

The habits we develop as children significantly impact lifespan and healthspan in adulthood. Dietary choices, exercise, or for example daily screen time can lead to lasting changes in the organism.

Agnieszka Szmitkowska, Ph.D.
Article
No Tag Added

Every move counts: Non-exercise physical activity for cardiovascular health and longevity

December 13, 2022

Increasing movement and reducing sedentary time lead to significant reductions in the occurrence of many diseases. It is important to encourage people to increase their non-exercise physical activity.

Reem Abedi
No items found.