Using Wearables In Your Next Study? Here Are 3 Things To Know

By Kristen Harnack

While the industry is working toward the adoption of wearables in clinical research, several obstacles stand in the way. In a 2022 review of 179 clinical studies using wearables, the biggest shortcoming identified was the inaccuracy of the wearables or the absence of validation or clinically approved certification. Other red flags included technical issues, such as a low sampling rate of measurements, no wear time recognition, or missing data, amongst other concerns.

As wearables unleash new possibilities for researchers, the clinical trial industry will need to nail down an effective strategy to bring these useful tools into research. For now, the onus is on researchers to consider the unpredictable nature of the rapidly evolving ecosystem of devices, apps, and other services that leave digital footprints.

To help mitigate the unforeseen challenges associated with this technology, consider these tips when incorporating wearables in a clinical study.