Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Innovation.
Smartwatches as Predictive Health Tools: A New Era of Preventative Care
Smartwatches Revolutionize Predictive Health Monitoring
In recent years, smartwatches have evolved from simple fitness trackers to sophisticated health monitoring devices capable of predicting certain medical conditions before symptoms arise. Leveraging advanced sensors and AI algorithms, smartwatches now gather detailed physiological data that can be used to detect early signs of disorders like Parkinson’s disease, cardiac abnormalities, and even epilepsy.
At Switzerland’s CHUV University Hospital, Dr. Patrick Schoettker and his team are testing the potential of the Masimo W1 smartwatch to improve surgery outcomes. Patients wear the W1 smartwatch for weeks before undergoing surgery, with the device monitoring heart rate, respiration, blood oxygen levels, and more. This detailed health data, described by Schoettker as a “digital twin,” allows doctors to better assess patients’ physical condition before surgery, reducing risks associated with unforeseen complications.
Smartwatches and Cardiac Health: A New Tool in Prevention
The most prominent use of smartwatches in healthcare so far has been in cardiology. With capabilities like electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, devices such as the Apple Watch have shown significant promise. A recent study demonstrated that these devices could detect irregular heartbeats in people aged 50-70, identifying potential warning signs of atrial fibrillation, a condition that can lead to stroke if left untreated.
Dr. Gosia Wamil, a consultant cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare, explains that smartwatch data is helping doctors catch heart abnormalities before they progress. By alerting users to variations in heart rhythm, doctors are able to prescribe preventive measures like blood thinners to reduce stroke risk in patients with irregular heartbeats. Wamil anticipates that, in the future, smartwatches will help in identifying early warning signs of heart failure and other cardiac conditions.
Predicting Neurological Disorders with Wearable Technology
Beyond cardiac health, smartwatch technology is also showing promise in identifying signs of neurological disorders. In July 2023, a groundbreaking study from Cardiff University revealed that motion data from wearables could detect signs of Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before diagnosis. By tracking subtle changes in walking patterns, the smartwatch identifies early motor symptoms that patients themselves may not notice.
Lead researcher Cynthia Sandor suggests that these devices might even detect signs earlier by combining motion data with other parameters like sleep patterns, which are often disrupted in Parkinson’s patients. This could allow researchers to include high-risk individuals in early clinical trials, potentially making it easier to develop effective treatments before the disease progresses.
Helping Patients Manage Chronic Conditions: A Vision for the Future
For individuals living with chronic conditions like epilepsy, wearable technology could soon offer life-changing assistance. Dr. Aileen McGonigal of the Queensland Brain Institute is studying a specialized smartwatch, Empatica, to determine if it can help predict seizures. Using multiple sensors, the watch monitors heart rate variability, skin temperature, and other factors that could indicate the onset of a seizure, allowing patients to manage their condition more safely.
“Seizure prediction is still a work in progress,” Dr. McGonigal says, “but AI-driven devices like the Empatica may help us pinpoint higher-risk times for seizures, helping patients adapt their routines to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries.”
Managing Challenges: False Positives and User Anxiety
As promising as smartwatch technology is, some healthcare professionals urge caution. While early detection is valuable, the potential for false positives could lead to unnecessary anxiety and stress for patients. Consultant thoracic surgeon Dr. Jeremy Smelt points out that overreliance on smartwatch data might overwhelm healthcare systems with unnecessary visits. He advocates for rigorous testing and validation to ensure that these technologies are as accurate as possible.
Expanding Potential: Smartwatches on the Cutting Edge of Preventive Care
The future for smartwatches in healthcare is bright, with developers actively working on solutions for respiratory monitoring to detect signs of asthma attacks. Joe Kiani, CEO of Masimo, notes that smartwatches like the W1 will soon measure respiratory effort to help people recognize symptoms before they escalate.
The information collected by these wearable devices promises to empower patients and improve preventative care by allowing doctors and patients alike to stay ahead of potentially life-threatening conditions, ultimately reshaping our approach to health monitoring and preventive care.
