Smartwatches for science: Apple has set up a program for researchers through which the manufacturer’s smartwatches can be obtained on a larger scale for study purposes. The “Investigator Support Program” is a pilot project to support scientists, as the company announced. Apple wants to prioritize study projects that advance research, help people live healthier lives, and use Apple products and the manufacturer’s frameworks specifically for this purpose.
Heart health studies
The first study projects want to use the Apple Watch, among other things, to record heart health data from test subjects: In this way, a scientist will examine how the large forest fires in the US state affect the health of firefighters on site who are exposed to the forest fire smoke over a long period of time are exposed, explains Apple. Around 200 firefighters in Texas and California are participating. In addition to the smartwatch, participants will wear an air quality monitor and will be regularly asked about symptoms, sleep and activity.
In Australia, the Apple Watch will also be used in research into toxicity in child cancer treatment to quickly identify cardiac arrhythmias. In the Netherlands, it is also being examined whether the cardiac arrhythmia atrial fibrillation can be detected earlier in risk groups with the help of smartwatches.
Apple Watch: medical functions are on the spot
Apple is making very slow progress in expanding the health functions of the Apple Watch. The 1-lead ECG, introduced in 2018, is considered excellent, but so far it has remained the only function for which Apple has received medical device approval. According to the manufacturer, the detection of blood oxygen and temperature by current models is not suitable for medical purposes. Apple is apparently researching blood pressure and non-invasive blood sugar measurement, but it could be many more years before reliable sensors are ready for the market.
(lbe)
