Wearable health technology
Healthcare wearable devices collect and transmit data such as patients' vital signs, activity levels and health metrics for chronic conditions, enabling early intervention and personalized treatment. However, for these devices to achieve their full potential, challenges like data security, accuracy and integration into existing IT systems must be addressed.
Top Stories
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02 Oct 2024
Wearables help boost post-surgery physical activity
A new study shows that wearable devices can help boost physical activity in patients after lung cancer surgery, improving their recovery and quality of life. Continue Reading
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12 Sep 2024
VR offers a unique way to improve Black maternal health
A new VR-based training program aims to combat implicit bias in maternal healthcare and enhance physician cultural competency to improve outcomes for Black birthing people. Continue Reading
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10 Sep 2024
Apple Watch, AirPods to include sleep apnea, hearing features
Apple is adding new features, including sleep apnea detection on the Apple Watch and hearing tests and aids on the AirPods Pro 2, in an effort to boost health management. Continue Reading
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04 Sep 2024
Using ingestible sensors to improve medication adherence
Mass General Brigham is exploring how ingestible sensors can improve medication adherence in psychiatric care, helping overcome longstanding barriers in this area. Continue Reading
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27 Aug 2024
Why Sutter Health is using a wearable device for critical care
Sutter Health is adopting a wearable device to enhance sepsis management that will provide critical care clinicians with real-time data to support clinical decision-making. Continue Reading
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24 Jul 2024
Wearables linked to ‘pathologic’ heart disease symptom monitoring
AFib patients using wearable devices are more likely to engage in high rates of symptom monitoring and experience anxiety than non-users, a study shows. Continue Reading
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21 May 2024
Alleviating stress among racial minorities during pregnancy with VR
Virtual reality tools could play a key role in maternal mental healthcare, with research showing it can help reduce stress among pregnant people of color. Continue Reading
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16 Apr 2024
VR therapy mitigates pain for hospitalized cancer patients
New research reveals that an immersive VR experience reduced cancer-related pain more significantly than a two-dimensional experience provided via a tablet. Continue Reading
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15 Apr 2024
KLAS: Apple iPhones most-used commercial devices in healthcare
Most healthcare organizations use Apple devices to boost clinical mobility because their employees already use them outside of work, KLAS research shows. Continue Reading
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05 Apr 2024
Smartphone-based cognitive testing for rare dementia feasible, reliable
Conducting cognitive testing via smartphones could support early detection of a rare type of dementia that largely affects 45 to 60 year olds, research indicates. Continue Reading
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01 Mar 2024
What is Virtual Reality and its Healthcare Use Cases?
Virtual reality holds promising potential in healthcare, with evidence backing its clinical efficacy and stakeholders indicating strong interest in adoption. Continue Reading
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20 Feb 2024
Using VR to Create an Immersive Mental Health Support System
Cedars-Sinai investigators have created a virtual reality app driven by generative AI and spatial computing that aims to enhance the talk therapy experience. Continue Reading
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04 Jan 2024
Ingestible Obesity Treatment Device Creates Illusion of Fullness
MIT engineers developed an ingestible device that activates receptors in the stomach indicating satiety, making it a new minimally invasive obesity treatment. Continue Reading
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02 Jan 2024
Wearable Biosensor Predicts Aggression Among Inpatients with Autism
The wearable device collects physiological data that can be analyzed via machine learning to preempt aggressive behavior among inpatient youth with autism. Continue Reading
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20 Dec 2023
Apple Watch Can Detect Irregular Heartbeats in Children
Research shows that the Apple Watch can accurately record arrhythmia events in children, correctly characterizing a majority of the most common type. Continue Reading
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14 Dec 2023
Using a Smartphone Attachment to Make Neurological Screenings Equitable
UC San Diego engineers developed a new tool that attaches to smartphone cameras that can enable assessments of neurological conditions regardless of eye color. Continue Reading
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28 Nov 2023
New Ingestible Device Can Remotely Monitor Vital Signs with Accuracy
The capsule-sized device can provide accurate measures of respiratory and heart rate, enabling sleep apnea monitoring, a human trial shows. Continue Reading
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27 Nov 2023
Virtual Care Technologies to Support Aging in Place
Older adults increasingly want to age in their homes, and virtual care technologies, like telehealth and wearables, are crucial to enabling this. Continue Reading
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15 Nov 2023
‘Getting Heads in Headsets’: Exploring Virtual Reality Use in the VA
The VA is strategically investing in healthcare VR technology to boost mental and physical healthcare among veterans and enhance staff experience. Continue Reading
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08 Nov 2023
How Virtual Reality Can Help Tackle ‘Scanxiety’ Among Cancer Patients
The National Cancer Institute is studying whether VR tools could help cancer patients better manage their anxiety before and after imaging scans. Continue Reading
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06 Nov 2023
Using Healthcare VR Technology to Improve Pain Management
Advanced healthcare technology, like virtual reality, can support pain management goals, but barriers like clinical trials and reimbursement remain. Continue Reading
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02 Nov 2023
UVA Health Researchers Use Wearables Data to Enhance Cancer Care
New research shows that using hormone data gathered by wearable devices can help clinicians determine cancer growth and provide personalized care. Continue Reading
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30 Oct 2023
Most Patients Support Incorporating Wearable Device Data in Healthcare
A majority of healthcare consumers said physicians using wearable device data in patient care would encourage them to pursue healthier lifestyles. Continue Reading
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25 Oct 2023
How Connected Health Tech Bolsters Chronic Care, Behavioral Health
Connected health tools, like wearables and telehealth, can enhance chronic disease management and behavioral healthcare, but obstacles to adoption and use remain. Continue Reading
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06 Oct 2023
Samsung Strikes Hospital Partnerships for Digital Health Research
The electronics company is collaborating with hospitals like Brigham & Women’s to examine smartwatch and algorithm use in enhancing healthcare research and delivery. Continue Reading
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05 Oct 2023
Virtual Reality Helps Alleviate Pain Among Burn Injury Patients
A new study shows that a virtual reality-based intervention helped lessen pain associated with dressing changes among adult burn injury patients. Continue Reading
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14 Sep 2023
New Eye-Tracking Tablet Tool Can Help Diagnose Autism in Children
Atlanta researchers have developed eye-tracking technology, enabled via a tablet, that can aid in detecting autism among children as young as 16 months. Continue Reading
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01 Sep 2023
Healthcare Wearables Can Help Increase Physical Activity Among Seniors
The share of older adults who reported using wearable devices, though small, had higher physical activity levels than their peers, per a new study. Continue Reading
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24 Aug 2023
Wearable Devices Can Help Track ALS Disease Progression
New research shows that wearable sensors enable remote assessment of motor function in home-based ALS patients, improving disease progression tracking. Continue Reading
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17 Aug 2023
Texas Researchers Use VR Technology to Measure Brain Activity
The researchers developed an EEG sensor and attached it to a commercial virtual reality headset to measure users' brain activity during simulations. Continue Reading
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15 Aug 2023
Adults With High Heart Disease Risk Less Likely to Use mHealth Devices
New research reveals that only 42 percent of US adults with or at risk of heart disease use smart mHealth devices to track progress toward health goals. Continue Reading
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07 Aug 2023
Exploring Tools for Virtual Behavioral Healthcare
Amid the ongoing mental health crisis, virtual care technologies are increasingly being used to address a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression. Continue Reading
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04 Aug 2023
Wearable Ultrasound Scanner Detects Interval Breast Cancer
A new wearable ultrasound scanner successfully detected early-stage tumors, marking a critical step toward raising survival rates. Continue Reading
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27 Jun 2023
Wearable Skin Sensor Can Uncover Underlying Inflammation
New research describes the ability of a wearable skin sensor to identify biomarkers of inflammation through human sweat. Continue Reading
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20 Jun 2023
Can Wearables Improve Outcomes Among Hospitalized Patients?
A new study found that hospitalized patients who use wearable activity trackers experienced better outcomes than those who did not. Continue Reading
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15 Jun 2023
Fewer than 1 in 5 Heart Disease Patients Use Wearables
New research indicates that less than 20 percent of cardiovascular disease patients use wearable devices, prompting the need to ensure health equity. Continue Reading
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31 May 2023
Finger Monitor Uses Smartphone Features to Detect Blood Pressure
A new tool from UC San Diego engineers combines smartphone features such as a camera and flash to monitor blood pressure. Continue Reading
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30 May 2023
Georgia Researchers Develop Wearable Device to Detect Sleep Apnea
Researchers at Georgia Tech created a wearable device worn on the face that can detect sleep apnea with 88.5 percent accuracy. Continue Reading
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25 May 2023
Model Leverages Wearable Data for Mental Health Diagnosis
A newly developed deep-learning model collects data from wearables to help clinicians detect depression and anxiety based on ten variables. Continue Reading
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17 May 2023
Partnership to Expand Remote Patient Monitoring Services to MS Patients
Remote patient monitoring technology aims to support University of Mississippi Medical Center patients in managing chronic health conditions. Continue Reading
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10 May 2023
Broadband Still Causes Rural-Urban Divide in Digital Health Tool Use
New research showed that rural residents were less likely to use digital health tools to communicate with providers despite similar ownership rates. Continue Reading
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05 May 2023
Weill Cornell Medicine Wearable Aims to Treat Hand Edema Patients
A new hand-worn device from Weill Cornell Medicine aims to support hand edema patients through knitted wearable technology. Continue Reading
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02 May 2023
New Wearable Technology Aims to Support Heart Disease Monitoring
Texas researchers have developed a wearable medical device in the form of an electronic tattoo for continuous heart disease monitoring. Continue Reading
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24 Apr 2023
Pilot Program Targets Maternal Health Disparities Using Virtual Tracking
The program launched by Aetna Better of Maryland and maternal health provider Mae will use virtual tracking and doulas to reduce maternal health disparities among Black women. Continue Reading
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10 Apr 2023
Pediatric Wearable Device Use Varies Based on Patient Demographics
New research found that wearable device use and retention among pediatric patients showed inconsistencies associated with demographics and socioeconomic factors. Continue Reading
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07 Apr 2023
Collaboration Aims to Assist Veterans Through Virtual Reality Solutions
The VA entered a collaboration to compose virtual reality solutions to provide care related to orthopedics, neurorehabilitation, and chronic issues. Continue Reading
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06 Apr 2023
NIH Recognizes Various Tools for Improving Maternal Health Outcomes
The NIH selected various monitors and tracking systems to advance in its competition to enhance maternal health outcomes. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2023
Wearable Devices Show Potential in Enhancing Cardiovascular Outcomes
Health-focused wearable devices helped improve modifiable risk factors among cardiovascular disease patients, such as physical activity levels. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2023
Collab Aims to Evaluate Education Potential of Medical VR
Brigham and Women's Hospital is partnering with a Japan-based developer to evaluate its virtual reality solution for medical education before entering the US market. Continue Reading
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23 Mar 2023
CMS Establishes Reimbursement Pathway for Virtual Reality Program
CMS created the first HCPCS Level II code for a virtual reality program, characterizing it as durable medical equipment and creating a pathway for Medicare and commercial payer coverage. Continue Reading
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23 Mar 2023
Racial Disparities Uncovered in Pediatric Pulse Oximetry Readings
New data shows that Black pediatric patients experienced false negatives when receiving blood oxygen saturation readings on pulse oximetry devices. Continue Reading
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21 Mar 2023
OSU Researchers Create Wearable Sensor to Monitor Muscle Atrophy
A study assessing the wearable sensor found that it could monitor small changes in overall limb size and detect muscle loss of up to 51 percent. Continue Reading
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10 Mar 2023
Wearable Sensor Assists Process of Diagnosing Heart Attacks
New research shows that a wrist-worn wearable sensor can assess troponin levels to predict heart attacks with 90 percent accuracy within a five-minute timeframe. Continue Reading
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10 Mar 2023
Mass General to Test Virtual Reality Solution for Mental Healthcare
Massachusetts General Hospital is conducting a clinical trial to determine the efficacy of a virtual reality digital therapeutic in supporting the mental health needs of blood cancer patients. Continue Reading
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04 Jan 2023
Smartphone-Based Mental Health Apps Mainly Provide Basic Features
New research shows that although various mental health services are offered via smartphone apps, only a few provide innovative features like specialized therapies. Continue Reading
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03 Jan 2023
Long-Term Digital Health Tool Use Linked to Demographic, Health Factors
Older individuals, women, and college graduates participating in a digital health study were more likely to consistently use digital health tools over a one-year period, new research shows. Continue Reading
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19 Dec 2022
Researchers Develop Wearable Belt Prototype to Track Heart Failure
A recent study describes how a wearable belt prototype developed by Florida-based researchers continuously tracks heart failure indicators such as electrocardiogram, heart rate, and motion. Continue Reading
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12 Dec 2022
Researchers to Develop Smartwatch Device to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
A partnership between Oregon researchers and Analog Devices engineers aims to mitigate the mental health crisis among teens through the development and use of a wearable smartwatch device. Continue Reading
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09 Dec 2022
Researchers Design Material for Wearable Monitor to Track Heart Health
Missouri-based researchers are developing breathable material for a wearable heart monitor that uses an electrocardiogram and a seismocardiogram to measure heart signals and vibration. Continue Reading
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22 Nov 2022
Providers Can Glean Useable Health Metrics from Wearable Tracker Data
Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that data gathered by wearable activity trackers can be used to calculate health metrics, including heart health status, which can help boost clinical care. Continue Reading
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02 Nov 2022
Overcoming Digital Access, Technology Integration Hurdles to Connected Care
At the Connected Health Virtual Summit, healthcare leaders shared the challenges they are facing with implementing and expanding connected care efforts and how they are working to break down barriers. Continue Reading
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25 Oct 2022
How Wearables Can Enhance Cardiac Care, Boost Patient Engagement
Wearables use in cardiac care is growing, enabling clinicians to track patient metrics remotely and customize care, but challenges remain, including the accuracy of the data being collected. Continue Reading
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18 Oct 2022
Results of Smartwatch-Based ECG Assessing Heart Rhythm Often Inconclusive
Apple Watch's ECG app identified 78 percent of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) accurately, and one in five patients did not receive an automatic diagnosis, new research shows. Continue Reading
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23 Sep 2022
Researchers to Study Wearable Sensor Efficacy in Treating Low Back Pain
Researchers from UC San Diego are developing tools, including wearable sensors and machine learning analytics, to enhance physical therapy treatments for patients with low back pain. Continue Reading
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31 Aug 2022
Study to Assess Apple Watch's Efficacy in Lessening Need for Blood-Thinners
A $37 million grant will support researchers studying the efficacy of the Apple Watch in managing atrial fibrillation and reducing the need for blood-thinning medication. Continue Reading
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29 Aug 2022
How a Unified Platform Transformed Clinical Communication at a CA Hospital
An integrated strategy for clinical communication has boosted operational efficiencies and patient care at a California hospital. Continue Reading
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23 Aug 2022
Wearable Skin Sensor Can Collect Various Health Indicators
MIT researchers have developed a wireless, chip-free wearable skin sensor that can assess and provide various health metrics, including blood pressure and heart rate. Continue Reading
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08 Aug 2022
Majority of Healthcare Consumers Believe Wearables Improve Their Health, Fitness
Most healthcare consumers who own wearables use them to monitor their health and fitness, with pulse rate, calories, and heart health being the most common metrics tracked, a new survey shows. Continue Reading
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25 Jul 2022
Digital Therapeutics Provide Many Benefits, But Threats, Challenges Remain
Research shows that the growth of digital therapeutics provides many benefits and opportunities for patient care, but organizations must consider the potential drawbacks. Continue Reading
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18 Jul 2022
mHealth Wearables Can Bolster Patient Empowerment, But Challenges Persist
Researchers found that using mHealth wearables can support diagnosis, behavior change, and self-monitoring among patients, but barriers to adoption remain. Continue Reading
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14 Jul 2022
More Evidence That Racial Inequities Exist in Pulse Oximeter Use
New research shows that the data collected from arterial blood oxygen readings and pulse oximeters differed for Black and White patients and could impact occult hypoxemia treatment. Continue Reading
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30 Jun 2022
mHealth Wearable Device Can Predict Concussion Risk
Researchers discovered that an mHealth wearable device can detect potential concussions among contact sports athletes. Continue Reading
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29 Jun 2022
44% of Digital Health Companies Have Low Levels of Clinical Robustness
Researchers found that though many digital health companies have low levels of clinical robustness, about 20 percent had high scores in this arena. Continue Reading
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07 Jun 2022
Apple Watch to Add Medication Tracking, AFib History Features
The new operating system update will enable users to manage their medications and allow those diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to monitor their heart rhythm trends. Continue Reading
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01 Jun 2022
Faulty Pulse Oximetry Readings Delayed COVID-19 Care For Minority Groups
Due to inaccurate pulse oximetry measurements, Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to be recognized as eligible for COVID-19 treatment than White patients, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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23 May 2022
Digital Health Literacy Screening Tool Can Help Close Care Gaps
Researchers developed a scaled approach to assess digital health literacy across various populations, helping identify those who cannot reap the benefits of telehealth. Continue Reading
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27 Apr 2022
21% of FQHC Patients Have a Fitness Tracker, 58% Want One
A new survey shows that most FQHC patients who don't already own a fitness tracker want one — primarily to track their steps. Continue Reading
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26 Apr 2022
mHealth Wearables Can Track Physiological Responses to COVID-19 Vaccine
Scripps researchers found that wearable sensors could help track physiological and immune responses after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including heart rate, sleep, and activity levels. Continue Reading
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21 Apr 2022
Smartwatch Feature Can Track COVID-19 Progression
A new study shows that a smartwatch feature can use heart rate data to track the progression of COVID-19 symptoms. Continue Reading
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08 Apr 2022
Tablet Devices Assisted Mental Healthcare Services For US Veterans
Researchers found that tablet devices were successful in delivering mental healthcare services to US Veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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25 Mar 2022
Remote Blood Oxygen Monitoring Helped Detect COVID-19 Deterioration
During the COVID-19 pandemic, at-home blood oxygen monitoring assisted in identifying clinical deterioration among patients infected with the disease, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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17 Mar 2022
Safety-Net Facilities Continue to Rely on Audio-Only Telehealth
Researchers found that telehealth through audio-only platforms remained popular in federally qualified health centers during the pandemic, particularly for behavioral health services. Continue Reading
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10 Mar 2022
Home-Based Remote Patient Monitoring Yields Highly Accurate BP Readings
A new study shows that home-based blood pressure measurement is highly reliable with a mean difference of -0.1 mmHg compared with ambulatory monitoring. Continue Reading
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07 Mar 2022
1 in 5 Patients Find Wearables Hard to Use
But despite issues with usability, patients cited several benefits linked to wearables, including gaining a better understanding of their health, a new survey shows. Continue Reading
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02 Mar 2022
Telehealth-Enabled Social Services Helped Boost Patient Satisfaction
A new study shows that connecting patients to social workers using a tablet service resulted in a visit satisfaction score of 4.7 out of five. Continue Reading
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03 Feb 2022
NJ Clinicians Boost Access to Cardiac Care With Tele-Ultrasound System
The tele-ultrasound system enables patients to receive diagnostic cardiac ultrasounds in a remote setting, eliminating the need to travel to a cardiologist. Continue Reading
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02 Feb 2022
Mobile Devices, Geolocation Data Help Predict COVID-19 Outbreaks
Geolocation data collected from mobile devices helped researchers predict COVID-19 outbreaks by determining if people practiced social distancing or not, a study revealed. Continue Reading
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28 Jan 2022
OSU Wexner Medical Center to Launch In-Home Heart Failure Care Program
In collaboration with WellSky, the Ohio-based health system is launching a home-based care program for heart failure patients with the aim of curbing readmissions. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2022
Why Stanford Wants to Make CGM a Standard of Care for Diabetic Kids
Continuous monitoring of blood glucose, both by patients and remotely by their care teams, can help kids with type 1 diabetes achieve tighter glucose control and improve outcomes, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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07 Jan 2022
Lack of mHealth Technologies Disrupts Workflows for Hospitalists
Tasks like rounding, chart reviews, and order submissions could be made easier for hospitalists with the addition of mHealth technologies that are portable and task-specific, a study found. Continue Reading
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03 Jan 2022
Wearable Sensor May Help Curb Opioid Relapses, Overdoses
The wrist sensor is designed to identify psychophysiological signs and determine whether they are consistent with opioid cravings, researchers said. Continue Reading
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15 Dec 2021
Remote Patient Monitoring Lags in Detecting Pacemaker Battery Failure
Though the FDA had suggested patients use remote patient monitoring processes to track the battery life of their pacemaker, new research shows the processes were not successful. Continue Reading
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23 Nov 2021
Newly Approved VR Therapeutic for Back Pain Expands Scope of Home Health
EaseVRx, the first FDA-approved VR therapeutic for pain relief, guides patients through an eight-week program that teaches them cognitive behavioral skills to help them manage their pain at home. Continue Reading
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27 Oct 2021
Using mHealth Wearables to Understand Diverse Populations
Researchers are working collaboratively with Apple to gain data insights into diverse populations through wearable health devices. Continue Reading
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13 Oct 2021
Fitbit Supports mHealth Programs Addressing Social Determinants of Health
The company is awarding $300,000 in products and services to six projects that will be using mHealth devices and telehealth platforms to address barriers to care in underserved populations. Continue Reading
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27 Sep 2021
Researchers Develop an mHealth Wearable That Can Deliver Vaccines
Researchers at Stanford and UNC have developed an mHealth wearable that can take the sting out of vaccine delivery, improve the effectiveness of the vaccine and be mass-produced for distribution in underserved regions. Continue Reading
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16 Sep 2021
mHealth Wearables Detect Pandemic-Related Stress in Healthcare Workers
Researchers using mHealth wearables to measure healthcare workers’ physiological responses found that a lack of resilience and emotional support increases stress. Continue Reading
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14 Sep 2021
CMS Plans to Scrap Innovative mHealth Technology Program
CMS has proposed eliminating the Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) program, which would have sped up Medicare coverage for mHealth technology classified by the FDA as 'breakthrough medical devices.' Continue Reading
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14 Sep 2021
Grant Funds Medical Device Development to Prevent Epileptic Seizures
A biomedical engineering professor will use the funds to continue his research for medical device development of a brain implant device that aims to prevent epileptic seizures. Continue Reading
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04 Jun 2021
mHealth Wearables Increase Healthcare Use Among Arrhythmia Patients
Patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) who used mHealth wearable devices were more likely to access healthcare than those who didn’t use wearables, a JAMA study finds. Continue Reading
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02 Jun 2021
Could Congress Help Community Health Centers Expand Mobile Health Outreach?
A bill before Congress would give community health centers more leeway in using HRSA funding to build and equip mobile health units for community outreach. Continue Reading
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26 May 2021
Congress to Debate Medicare Coverage for Audio-Only Telehealth Services
A bill to establish Medicare coverage for audio-only telehealth services is now in the House, setting the stage for a debate on whether the telephone is a good healthcare tool. Continue Reading