Selecting a smartwatch for trials involving older adults with neurodegenerative diseases: A researcher’s framework to avoid hidden pitfalls

IF 4 2区医学 Q2 COMPUTER SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPLICATIONS

Journal of Biomedical Informatics Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jbi.2025.104781

Lydia D. Boyle , Brice Marty , Kristoffer Haugarvoll , Ole Martin Steihaug , Monica Patrascu , Bettina S. Husebo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases complicates care needs for older adults. Sensing technologies, such as smartwatches, are one available solution which can help address the challenges of aging. Knowledge of the possibilities and pitfalls of these sensing technologies is of key importance to researchers when choosing a device for a trial and considering the sustainability of these technologies in real-world settings.

Objective

This study aims to uncover hidden truths related to the suitability of smartwatches for use in clinical trials which include older adults with neurodegenerative diseases, including end-of-life and palliative care studies.

Method

We perform an analysis of smartwatch features vs. user and researcher needs and provide an overview of hidden expenses which should be considered by the research team. Investigative research on 11 smartwatches is presented, selected based on previous use in clinical studies and recommendations from fellow researchers.

Results

We found that expenses, battery life, choice of research vs. commercial grade devices, data management, study methodology, and participant demographics are principal factors in selecting a smartwatch for a clinical trial involving older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. A revised framework based on our findings, and concepts from Connely (2021), Mattison (2023), and Espay (2019) et al.’s previous work, is presented as a tool for researchers in evaluation of smartwatches and future sensing technologies.

Conclusion

Careful consideration must be given to the fitness of technologies for future research, especially considering that this is a rapidly changing field. The process of selection of a smartwatch for a clinical trial should be thoughtful, scrutinous, and include interdisciplinary collaboration.

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来源期刊

Journal of Biomedical Informatics 医学-计算机：跨学科应用

CiteScore

8.90

自引率

6.70%

发文量

243

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Biomedical Informatics reflects a commitment to high-quality original research papers, reviews, and commentaries in the area of biomedical informatics methodology. Although we publish articles motivated by applications in the biomedical sciences (for example, clinical medicine, health care, population health, and translational bioinformatics), the journal emphasizes reports of new methodologies and techniques that have general applicability and that form the basis for the evolving science of biomedical informatics. Articles on medical devices; evaluations of implemented systems (including clinical trials of information technologies); or papers that provide insight into a biological process, a specific disease, or treatment options would generally be more suitable for publication in other venues. Papers on applications of signal processing and image analysis are often more suitable for biomedical engineering journals or other informatics journals, although we do publish papers that emphasize the information management and knowledge representation/modeling issues that arise in the storage and use of biological signals and images. System descriptions are welcome if they illustrate and substantiate the underlying methodology that is the principal focus of the report and an effort is made to address the generalizability and/or range of application of that methodology. Note also that, given the international nature of JBI, papers that deal with specific languages other than English, or with country-specific health systems or approaches, are acceptable for JBI only if they offer generalizable lessons that are relevant to the broad JBI readership, regardless of their country, language, culture, or health system.