By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tooth Decay Marielaina Perrone DDS
    Is Your Child’s Education Affected By Tooth Decay?
    December 13, 2012
    Image
    Millions of Americans Could Lose ACA Subsidies
    July 21, 2014
    Image
    IVF: The Three Biggest Myths
    March 22, 2013
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Are Wearables the Future of Clinical Trials?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Medical Devices > Are Wearables the Future of Clinical Trials?
Medical DevicesMedical InnovationsTechnology

Are Wearables the Future of Clinical Trials?

Rehan Ijaz
Last updated: September 30, 2017 12:12 pm
Rehan Ijaz
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

For decades, paper-based survey methods have been the cornerstone of clinical trials. In fact, the majority of label claims on the market today are the result of paper-based surveys.

Contents
The Advantages of Wearable Technology for Clinical TrialsThe Drawbacks of Wearables

Yet there is a growing shift toward electronic data collection in clinical trials. Electronic data collection is faster, more reliable, and more cost effective than data collected via paper, but there is some question as to the best way to collect the data. While web portals, mobile applications, voice systems, and even handheld devices are all viable options, in many cases, one of the best options for clinical trial data collection is something that many of us already use: Wearables.

The Advantages of Wearable Technology for Clinical Trials

Chances are, if you aren’t wearing something like a FitBit or an Apple Watch right now, you have at one time — or know plenty of people who do. These devices have their limitations, but they do a better-than-average job of tracking your activity and, depending on the device, certain vital signs like heart rate and temperature.

When it comes to eCOA clinical trials, wearables like these have some significant advantages over paper trials. Not only is data recorded in real-time, but wearables can also:

More Read

Image
Wireless Big Data in the Cloud
Story About UVA Essential Tremor Trial Airing on TV Stations Around the US
Wearables are Improving Clinical Trial Research
Online Health Intervention Programs – Dealing With Attrition
When a Health Care Business Model Disruption is Self-Destructive
  • Reduce bias. One significant issue in clinical trials is the tendency for subjects to report biased data. Patients may inadvertently report their outcomes as better or worse than they actually are as a means of influencing the outcome of the study.

  • Maintain focus. Another problem with paper surveys is a tendency for patients to offer more or less information as required. Adding notes in the margins may seem helpful, but that data is unusable in the study. Wearables allow researchers to keep data collection focused on the information they really need.

  • Reduce “parking lot syndrome.” It’s not uncommon for patients to fall behind on their diaries or surveys, and attempt to catch up just before their appointments. With wearables, data is collected on an ongoing basis, eliminating the possibility that patients will report inaccurate information from memory.

  • Increase accuracy. Recording information from memory is one problem with accuracy. Other issues may include answering questions incorrectly, filling in survey blanks out of order, and errors in data transfer from paper to electronic media.

  • Reduce costs. When the diary is collected electronically, it can reduce the overall costs of the trial significantly.

Typically, wearables have some other applications beyond tracking the number of steps one takes every day. So why aren’t they being widely used in clinical trials?

The Drawbacks of Wearables

The biggest stumbling block to using wearable devices in clinical trials right now is the fact that the majority of devices on the market today are marketed for consumer use, and not approved by the FDA for clinical trial use. In addition, even the most advanced devices may not collect all of the data that researchers need to measure the efficacy of new treatments.

Other issues consistently brought up in the discussion of the feasibility of using wearable technology for clinical trials is the likelihood that study subjects will actually use the devices. Studies show many people who use devices like FitBit or Jawbone only wear them for a few months, and in many cases, inconsistently. Another issue is how to control the amount of data collected by the devices and maintaining the privacy of study participants with “always on” devices. And of course, there is always the likelihood that some patients may be unwilling or unable to wear the devices, potentially affecting study outcomes.

That being said, there are new wearable devices in development specifically for clinical use. While in some cases these devices may appear to resemble the devices we’re all familiar with, many are smaller, more flexible, and more comfortable than consumer devices. The new medical wearables are also more advanced, with the ability to measure blood pressure, fluid levels, and more, giving researchers more insight into patient outcomes — and ultimately, they hope, more accurate results and effective treatments.

The bottom line is that while there are still issues to be worked out, there is great potential for the use of wearable devices in medical trials. With the shift toward electronic data collection, it only makes sense to use technology for more accurate readings — and take the guesswork out of reporting for both patients and researchers.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

biopharma beat
DiagnosticsHome HealthMedical InnovationsMobile HealthPolicy & LawPublic HealthSocial Media

Biopharma Beat: Patient Engagement Throughout the Drug Development Lifecycle

April 9, 2015

Spit Happens! Genentech and 23andMe Team Up to Advance Genomic Testing in Clinical Trials

August 25, 2013
Hospital Budget Problems? Break Down Costs With Smarter Software
eHealthHospital AdministrationTechnology

Hospital Budget Problems? Break Down Costs With Smarter Software

January 6, 2018

New tool to compare costs, benefits of cancer treatments: Reuters

August 22, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?