Use Of Wearable And Sensor Applications In Clinical Trials

Wearable technology has been making its way into the healthcare industry at an increasing rate. The automation and research capacity it provides is enabling more healthcare practitioners to monitor patients’ data. Wearables and related devices have reduced the need to physically check in on patients. This technology allows for the collection, transmission, and processing of data through the system using wearable sensors and microprocessors.

Despite the handful of standard applications a wearable device provides, clinical trials can implement their applications for specific purposes. This is done through downloadable content that the user can then install. Other ways to achieve this are through bespoke devices manufactured for specific tasks that are under study or need monitoring by researchers. Such studies use wearable technologies to track certain outcomes in patient care through analysis of their daily routines and fitness activity.

Wearable Technology in Trials

Trials are beginning to increase offsite testing following the pandemic. Individuals spend less time in clinics and prefer taking tests online. Wearable technology plays a big part in ensuring data is collected and studies are conducted easily.

Devices embedded with sensors to monitor certain aspects of an individual such as heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure are becoming more common. These are then relayed back to the system and a specialist can then use the data to prescribe a drug or other treatment.

Specialized trials produce complex devices to monitor specific symptoms in participants. Other than watches, sensor-embedded pills have been approved for patients with conditions of schizophrenia and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Benefits of Sensor Technology

Sensor technology is also being improved in many preventive measures to protect patients. Pacemakers and defibrillators use sensors to monitor heart rates and also call emergency services in case of a heart attack or the user is not moving.

Wearable technology is promoting advancement in the healthcare system from predictive to reactive medication. The ability to discover and treat a particular disease before it becomes prevalent by noticing symptoms early. In the trial, data is collected remotely and does not stop at the end of the day. Eczema patients can be monitored in their sleep whether they still scratch without requiring them to show up in sleep clinics.

Technology is making it easier for research and studies to collect vital information while the patient is in a stress-free environment. Participants sign up for a trial and receive the wearable through the mail. The device is easy to use and set up, making patient management easier. The outcome of such a study provides valuable information to researchers about the daily lives of a patient. The system then provides all the data of a single user that can be compared to the rest of the study easily for comparison.

Development of Wearables

Companies such as Apple have been at the forefront of development in wearable technology and others are starting to join. This will see an increase in consumer wearables that not only tell time and count steps but also provide health monitoring as standard. A variety of more complex devices will also be used by participants in health programs.

The development of new technologies to target more specific areas for monitoring and trials is experiencing rapid growth. Virtual reality will see increased use in medical studies for the improvement of healthcare and the services provided. Consumer devices will be upgraded to tackle more specific diseases and treatments for each individual.

The popularity of the Internet of Things is seeing increased advantages in the provision of healthcare, especially for chronic patients. It is becoming easier to monitor such ailments and prevent patients from needing to visit the hospital. Faster adoption of wearables and sensor technologies in the healthcare system is required to keep up with the fast-changing world.