Wearable Sensors Can Detect COVID-19

While reviewing strategies for detecting and managing COVID-19, a recent study found that wearable sensors that monitor heart rate, skin temperature, and respiratory rate showed promise.

Researchers noted that one of the biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic has been tracing rapid infections and spreading, considering how it may take several days for symptoms to emerge following a COVID-19 illness.

The creation of wearable sensors sought to track presymptomatic and asymptomatic infections, aiming to decrease the spread of COVID-19.

The study consisted of analyzing various databases that contained data regarding the use of several different wearable devices.

The final sample of reviewed articles consisted of 12 different studies, each evaluated using a systematic review.

The most used device in these studies was the Fitbit, and others included the WHOOP strap, the Apple watch, and the Empatica E4.

Nine of the studies used machine learning algorithms to analyze physiological data. Eight noted a correlation between COVID-19 and increased heart rate, increasing by a median of seven beats per minute.

Researchers also found that 75 percent of studies that examined respiratory rate noted that it increased with COVID-19. They also stated that 76 percent of participants had an increased temperature immediately before symptoms arose.

Researchers state that additional information is needed to clarify the relationship between wearable devices and COVID-19. In the future, a further collection regarding differences in wearable methods, data processing, and the development of algorithms would be necessary.

Wearable devices do, however, present a significant level of potential regarding the future of disease management.

Regarding limitations, researchers acknowledged that sample selection and demographics might prevent the model from the ability to be applied anywhere. The study also did not note any sex-based differences.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many studies have indicated the promise of using wearable devices to track the disease.

For example, a study from June 2020 discussed how several novel mHealth devices were able to identify COVID-19 through remote patient monitoring. Located in California, Evidation Health used funding from the Bill Gates foundation to create the services that gathered sleep and activity data to detect COVID-19.

Another recent study from this month discussed how mHealth wearables could track how a patient responds to the COVID-19 vaccine. Using data from 5,600 individuals, researchers gathered information regarding sleep, behavior, and activity. Their principal findings included more significant changes in heart rate among women, limited changes in activity and sleep levels following the first dose, and a decrease in activity and an increase in sleep after the second dose.