Using consumer wearable devices to monitor heart rate and physical activity has proven to be clinically valuable for comparing responses to different treatments for atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
The research published in Nature Medicine investigated whether off-the-shelf fitness trackers and smartphones could continuously monitor the impact of medications and offer clinical insights similar to traditional in-person hospital assessments.
These wearable devices, comprising a wristband and smartphone, gathered extensive data on how individuals responded to two distinct medications as part of the RATE-AF clinical trial, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Conducted by experts from the cardAIc group at the University of Birmingham, the study used artificial intelligence to analyze over 140 million data points related to heart rate from 53 participants over a 20-week period. The findings indicated that digoxin and beta-blockers had a comparable effect on heart rate, even when considering variations in physical activity levels. This differed from earlier studies that had only assessed the short-term effects of digoxin.
A neural network was developed to address missing data and prevent an overly optimistic interpretation of the information collected by the wearables. Through this method, the researchers determined that the data from wearable devices aligned with the results from standard tests typically used in hospitals and clinical trials, which often demand significant time and resources from staff. Notably, the study included participants with an average age of 76 years, suggesting potential benefits across age groups and regardless of technological proficiency.
Professor Dipak Kotecha from the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Birmingham, who led the study, commented:
“As wearable devices become more prevalent worldwide for tracking daily activities and health, this research highlights their potential in evaluating treatment responses and enhancing routine patient care.”
“Given the projected rise in the prevalence of heart conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure, which will impose a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems, this study showcases how artificial intelligence can facilitate innovative approaches to improve patient treatment.”
