Search wants to know if the Apple Watch can detect signs of covid-19

THE Stanford University is studying whether monitoring devices like Apple Watch are able to identify signs of covid-19 through the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the user’s respiratory rate. Therefore, the researchers responsible for the project, entitled Wearables Data Study, are looking for volunteers.

“We are trying to find out if information from monitoring devices like Fitbit and Apple Watch can be used to monitor infectious diseases such as covid-19. We hope this technology will identify the disease even before symptoms start.”

To participate in the study, you must fit into one of the three categories below:

• Have been diagnosed with covid-19 or considered a suspected case;

• Having been exposed to someone who has covid-19 or who is considered a suspicious case;

• Possessing a high risk of contamination, such as health agents or employees of markets or pharmacies.

If you fit in one of the above cases, you will need to agree to some conditions to collaborate with the project: use your device continuously, download the project application, fill out a small symptom form daily (which lasts between 1 and 2 minutes, second The researchers). The program will also collect data such as heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen levels, among others. To participate, register here.

This study will run for two years, but researchers expect this first phase to be completed in just a few weeks. Once the Wearables Data Study reaches the required number of volunteers and collects their data, the second phase will begin. At this stage, all volunteers will have access to personal control panels that will notify them when they are getting sick.

“There are 30 million active users of Fitbit and millions of Apple Watch. We’re talking about tens of millions of people, all with these smart watches that can help fight infectious diseases like covid-19,” said one of the project’s researchers, Michael Snyder. It’s worth noting that the study accepts users of various monitoring devices , not just the ones mentioned above.