According to a study by researchers from Mount Sinai, a New York-based medical research center, connected watches like the Apple Watch can effectively scan for Covid-19. watches “capable of signaling the emergence of Covid-19 for up to seven days” Before PCR screening test and the appearance of the first symptoms.
As part of the study, researchers followed 297 medical professionals from April 29 to September 29, 2020. All participants wore an Apple Watch permanently connected to an iPhone. All Apple Watches, including the more affordable Apple Watch SE or older models released since 2015, have a heart rate monitor. Apple has also integrated an electrocardiogram (ECG), which has not been on the SE model since 2018.
A connected watch to screen asymptomatic individuals
For testing purposes, an application that can measure heart rate in detail has been installed on the watch. Robert P. Hirten, the doctor in charge of the research, says that Apple Watches detected it later. visible changes in heart rhythm carriers when the first symptoms appear. Therefore, the analysis of the readings makes it possible to confirm the diagnosis made by a professional.
Within two weeks of onset of symptoms (fever, cough, chills, pain, etc.) and diagnosis, Apple Watch recorded a return to normal heart rate. As a result, the analysis of the data provided by the connected clocks, better understand when the virus attacks the body. A study from Stanford University agrees. During a similar experiment, connected watches detected the presence of Covid-19 with an 81% success rate.
“Developing a way to identify people who may be sick without even knowing they are infected will be a major breakthrough in the management of COVID-19.” says Dr. Robert P. Hirten. Thanks to connected watches, you can also possible to detect asymptomatic persons before they pollute those around them.
“We can use these new technologies to better meet changing healthcare needs” says the medical doctor. Note that Apple CEO Tim Cook briefly mentioned the Mount Sinai study during his Apple Watch Series 6 keynote last September.
Source : Mount Sinai
