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Wearable Technology and Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Digital Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2020) | Viewed by 31266

Special Issue Editor

Health Promotion and Physical Therapy, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA
Interests: female athlete triad; metabolism; exercise; fitness; food intake; measuring physical activity; wearable technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and sleep are risk factors that impact health and wellness. Wearable fitness technology is the #1 fitness trend (ACSM, 2019). Wearable technology typically includes devices worn on the wrist, chest, arm, hip, or any other part of the body that can measure physical activity, sedentary behavior, and/or sleep. Fitness watches (e.g., those made by Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Misfit, and Polar) have become particularly popular and can measure physical activity and sleep. At a basic level, most fitness watches and activity monitors are a type of pedometer or accelerometer. Pedometers measure the steps taken, while accelerometers measure movement in multiple directions. Upgraded fitness watches and activity monitors also determine the heart rate and employ the Global Positioning System (GPS). This information can be integrated with the accelerometer data to obtain a detailed knowledge of daily physical activity and sedentary behavior.  In addition, these fitness watches and activity monitors can be integrated with diet apps to promote healthy eating.  

For this Special Issue “Wearable Technology and Health” in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, we invite submissions that examine the impact of using wearable technology on physical activity or other aspects of health (physiological or psychosocial). We also welcome submissions that validate the use of wearable technology to measure variables related to physical activity or other health outcomes. High-quality narrative and systematic reviews will also be considered. All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts in the field and are due by March 2020.

Dr. Jennifer L. Scheid
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • wearable technology
  • fitness watch
  • exercise
  • physical activity
  • sleep

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

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6 pages, 292 KiB  
Editorial
Sedentary Behavior and the Use of Wearable Technology: An Editorial
by Nathan O’Keeffe, Jennifer L Scheid and Sarah L West
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4181; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17124181 - 12 Jun 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4065
Abstract
Globally, we continue to face a mounting issue of obesity combined with inactivity; sedentary behaviour is independently associated with poor health outcomes including disease and mortality. As such, exploring ways to try to reduce sedentary behaviour and decrease the risk of diseases is [...] Read more.
Globally, we continue to face a mounting issue of obesity combined with inactivity; sedentary behaviour is independently associated with poor health outcomes including disease and mortality. As such, exploring ways to try to reduce sedentary behaviour and decrease the risk of diseases is an important area of consideration. The role of wearable technology, such as fitness trackers, to encourage and subsequently increase physical activity is relatively well documented. These devices have been successful at encouraging populations to increase daily activity levels. While time being sedentary is often correlated with physical activity participation, this is not always the case. Therefore, it may be just as important to consider the activity an individual is not doing when evaluating health and well-being. This Editorial will summarize the importance of distinguishing between physical activity and sedentary behaviour. It will also discuss how wearable technology, in the form of fitness trackers, may be used to encourage someone to break up sedentary bouts more often. Finally, we will consider important future research directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)

Research

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12 pages, 841 KiB  
Article
Validity of the Polar V800 Monitor for Assessing Heart Rate Variability in Elderly Adults under Mental Stress and Dual Task Conditions
by Chang-Jing Huang, Hsiao-Lung Chan, Ya-Ju Chang, Shu-Mei Chen and Miao-Ju Hsu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 869; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18030869 - 20 Jan 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2447
Abstract
Background: Aging may result in autonomic nervous dysfunction. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method to measure autonomic nervous activities. Many studies have shown that HRV contributes to the risk assessment of diseases. A Polar V800 heart rate monitor is a [...] Read more.
Background: Aging may result in autonomic nervous dysfunction. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method to measure autonomic nervous activities. Many studies have shown that HRV contributes to the risk assessment of diseases. A Polar V800 heart rate monitor is a wearable device that measures R-R intervals, but has only been validated in younger adults under limited testing conditions. There is no validation of the V800 under mental stress or in dual task testing conditions. Therefore, this study investigated the validity of the Polar V800 heart rate monitor for assessing R-R intervals and evaluated if there were differences on HRV parameters under different situations in community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: Forty community-dwelling elderly adults were recruited. Heart rates were recorded via electrocardiogram (ECG) and the V800 under sitting, during an arithmetic test, during a naming test, a self-selected walking velocity test (SSWV), and dual tasks (SSWV performing mental arithmetic test and SSWV performing naming test). Indices of time and frequency domains of HRV were calculated afterwards. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis and effect size were calculated to examine the concurrent validity between the V800 and the ECG. Results: All HRV indices from the V800 were highly correlated with the ECG under all tested conditions (ICC = 0.995–1.000, p < 0.001) and the effect size of bias was small (<0.1). Conclusion: Overall, the V800 has good validity on the assessment of HRV in community-dwelling elderly adults during sitting, mental arithmetic test, naming test, SSWV, and dual tasks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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23 pages, 1616 KiB  
Article
Coupling Wearable Devices and Decision Theory in the United States Emergency Department Triage Process: A Narrative Review
by Valentina Nino, David Claudio, Christie Schiel and Brendan Bellows
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(24), 9561; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17249561 - 21 Dec 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3246
Abstract
This research was motivated by the nurses’ decision-making process in the current emergency department (ED) triage process in the United States. It explores how continuous vital signs monitoring can be integrated into the ED. The article presents four shortcomings on current ED triage [...] Read more.
This research was motivated by the nurses’ decision-making process in the current emergency department (ED) triage process in the United States. It explores how continuous vital signs monitoring can be integrated into the ED. The article presents four shortcomings on current ED triage systems and proposes a new conceptual clinical decision support model that exploits the benefits of combining wireless wearable devices with Multi-Attribute Utility Theory to address those shortcomings. A literature review was conducted using various engineering and medical research databases, analyzing current practices and identifying potential improvement opportunities. The results from the literature review show that advancements in wireless wearable devices provide opportunities to enhance current ED processes by monitoring patients while they wait after triage and, therefore, reduce the risk of an adverse event. A dynamic mathematical decision support model to prioritize patients is presented, creating a feedback loop in the ED. The coupling of wearable devices (to collect data) with decision theory (to synthesize and organize the information) can assist in reducing sources of uncertainty inherent to ED systems. The authors also address the feasibility of the proposed conceptual model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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11 pages, 796 KiB  
Article
Effect of Electronic Activity Monitors and Pedometers on Health: Results from the TAME Health Pilot Randomized Pragmatic Trial
by Zakkoyya H. Lewis, Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, Steve R. Fisher, Kristofer Jennings, Arleen F. Brown, Maria C. Swartz, Eloisa Martinez and Elizabeth J. Lyons
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(18), 6800; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17186800 - 18 Sep 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2499
Abstract
Background: Brief counseling and self-monitoring with a pedometer are common practice within primary care for physical activity promotion. It is unknown how high-tech electronic activity monitors compare to pedometers within this setting. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes, through effect size estimation, [...] Read more.
Background: Brief counseling and self-monitoring with a pedometer are common practice within primary care for physical activity promotion. It is unknown how high-tech electronic activity monitors compare to pedometers within this setting. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes, through effect size estimation, of an electronic activity monitor-based intervention to increase physical activity and decrease cardiovascular disease risk. Method: The pilot randomized controlled trial was pre-registered online at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02554435). Forty overweight, sedentary participants 55–74 years of age were randomized to wear a pedometer or an electronic activity monitor for 12 weeks. Physical activity was measured objectively for 7 days at baseline and follow-up by a SenseWear monitor and cardiovascular disease risk was estimated by the Framingham risk calculator. Results: Effect sizes for behavioral and health outcomes ranged from small to medium. While these effect sizes were favorable to the intervention group for physical activity (PA) (d = 0.78) and general health (d = 0.39), they were not favorable for measures. Conclusion: The results of this pilot trial show promise for this low-intensity intervention strategy, but large-scale trials are needed to test its efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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13 pages, 343 KiB  
Article
Are all Sedentary Behaviors Equal? An Examination of Sedentary Behavior and Associations with Indicators of Disease Risk Factors in Women
by Claire Beale, Erica L. Rauff, Wendy J. O’Brien, Sarah P. Shultz, Philip W. Fink and Rozanne Kruger
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2643; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17082643 - 12 Apr 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3437
Abstract
Sedentary behavior increases risk for non-communicable diseases; associations may differ within different contexts (e.g., leisure time, occupational). This study examined associations between different types of sedentary behavior and disease risk factors in women, using objectively measured accelerometer-derived sedentary data. A validation study ( [...] Read more.
Sedentary behavior increases risk for non-communicable diseases; associations may differ within different contexts (e.g., leisure time, occupational). This study examined associations between different types of sedentary behavior and disease risk factors in women, using objectively measured accelerometer-derived sedentary data. A validation study (n = 20 women) classified sedentary behavior into four categories: lying down; sitting (non-active); sitting (active); standing. A cross-sectional study (n = 348 women) examined associations between these classifications and disease risk factors (body composition, metabolic, inflammatory, blood lipid variables). Participants spent an average of 7 h 42 min per day in sedentary behavior; 58% of that time was classified as non-active sitting and 26% as active sitting. Non-active sitting showed significant (p ≤ 0.001) positive correlations with BMI (r = 0.244), body fat percent (r = 0.216), body mass (r = 0.236), fat mass (r = 0.241), leptin (r = 0.237), and negative correlations with HDL-cholesterol (r = −0.117, p = 0.031). Conversely, active sitting was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.300), body fat percent (r = −0.249), body mass (r = −0.305), fat mass (r = −0.320), leptin (r = −0.259), and positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.115, p = 0.035). In summary, sedentary behavior can be stratified using objectively measured accelerometer-derived activity data. Subsequently, different types of sedentary behaviors may differentially influence disease risk factors. Public health initiatives should account for sedentary classifications when developing sedentary behavior recommendations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)

Review

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28 pages, 2296 KiB  
Review
The Role of Electrocardiography in Occupational Medicine, from Einthoven’s Invention to the Digital Era of Wearable Devices
by Antonio Baldassarre, Nicola Mucci, Martina Padovan, Alessia Pellitteri, Silvia Viscera, Luigi Isaia Lecca, Raymond P. Galea and Giulio Arcangeli
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(14), 4975; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17144975 - 10 Jul 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3795
Abstract
Clinical-instrumental investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), represent a corollary of a procedures that, nowadays, is called upon as part of the principles of precision medicine. However when carrying out the professional routine examinations, most tend to ignore how a “simple” instrument can offer [...] Read more.
Clinical-instrumental investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), represent a corollary of a procedures that, nowadays, is called upon as part of the principles of precision medicine. However when carrying out the professional routine examinations, most tend to ignore how a “simple” instrument can offer indispensable support in clinical practice, even in occupational medicine. The advent of the digital age, made of silicon and printed circuit boards, has allowed the miniaturization of the electronic components of these electro-medical devices. Finally, the adoption of patient wearables in medicine has been rapidly expanding worldwide for a number of years. This has been driven mainly by consumers’ demand to monitor their own health. With the ongoing research and development of new features capable of assessing and transmitting real-time biometric data, the impact of wearables on cardiovascular management has become inevitable. Despite the potential offered by this technology, as evident from the scientific literature, the application of these devices in the field of health and safety in the workplace is still limited. This may also be due to the lack of targeted scientific research. While offering great potential, it is very important to consider and evaluate ethical aspects related to the use of these smart devices, such as the management of the collected data relating to the physiological parameters and the location of the worker. This technology is to be considered as being aimed at monitoring the subject’s physiological parameters, and not at the diagnosis of any pathological condition, which should always be on charge of the medical specialist We conducted a review of the evolution of the role that electrophysiology plays as part of occupational health and safety management and on its possible future use, thanks to ongoing technological innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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10 pages, 886 KiB  
Review
Biosensors in Occupational Safety and Health Management: A Narrative Review
by Antonio Baldassarre, Nicola Mucci, Luigi Isaia Lecca, Emanuela Tomasini, Maria Julia Parcias-do-Rosario, Carolina Tauil Pereira, Giulio Arcangeli and Paulo Antonio Barros Oliveira
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2461; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17072461 - 03 Apr 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3561
Abstract
A sensor is a device used to gather information registered by some biological, physical or chemical change, and then convert the information into a measurable signal. The first biosensor prototype was conceived more than a century ago, in 1906, but a properly defined [...] Read more.
A sensor is a device used to gather information registered by some biological, physical or chemical change, and then convert the information into a measurable signal. The first biosensor prototype was conceived more than a century ago, in 1906, but a properly defined biosensor was only developed later in 1956. Some of them have reached the commercial stage and are routinely used in environmental and agricultural applications, and especially, in clinical laboratory and industrial analysis, mostly because it is an economical, simple and efficient instrument for the in situ detection of the bioavailability of a broad range of environmental pollutants. We propose a narrative review, that found 32 papers and aims to discuss the possible uses of biosensors, focusing on their use in the area of occupational safety and health (OSH). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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Other

11 pages, 906 KiB  
Study Protocol
Study for the Design of a Protocol to Assess the Impact of Stress in the Quality of Life of Workers
by Patricia Concheiro-Moscoso, Betania Groba, Francisco José Martínez-Martínez, María del Carmen Miranda-Duro, Laura Nieto-Riveiro, Thais Pousada, Cristina Queirós and Javier Pereira
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18041413 - 03 Feb 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3713
Abstract
(1) Background: Work stress is one of the most relevant issues in public health. It has a significant impact on health, especially the development of mental disorders, causing occupational imbalance. There is a growing interest in the development of tools with a positive [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Work stress is one of the most relevant issues in public health. It has a significant impact on health, especially the development of mental disorders, causing occupational imbalance. There is a growing interest in the development of tools with a positive effect on workers. To this end, wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular, as it measures biometric variables like heartbeat, activity, and sleep. This information may be used to assess the stress a person is suffering, which could allow the development of stress coping strategies, both at a professional and personal level. (2) Methods: This paper describes an observational, analytical, and longitudinal study which will be set at a research center in A Coruña, Spain. Various scales and questionnaires will be filled in by the participants throughout the study. For the statistical analysis, specific methods will be used to evaluate the association between numerical and categorical variables. (3) Discussion: This study will lay the foundation for a bigger, more complete study to assess occupational stress in different work environments. This will allow us to begin to understand how occupational stress influences daily life activity and occupational balance, which could directly enhance the quality of life of workers if the necessary measures are taken. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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10 pages, 492 KiB  
Protocol
Study Protocol on the Validation of the Quality of Sleep Data from Xiaomi Domestic Wristbands
by Patricia Concheiro-Moscoso, Francisco José Martínez-Martínez, María del Carmen Miranda-Duro, Thais Pousada, Laura Nieto-Riveiro, Betania Groba, Francisco Javier Mejuto-Muiño and Javier Pereira
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1106; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18031106 - 27 Jan 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3916
Abstract
(1) Background: Sleep disorders are a common problem for public health since they are considered potential triggers and predictors of some mental and physical diseases. Evaluating the sleep quality of a person may be a first step to prevent further health issues [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Sleep disorders are a common problem for public health since they are considered potential triggers and predictors of some mental and physical diseases. Evaluating the sleep quality of a person may be a first step to prevent further health issues that diminish their independence and quality of life. Polysomnography (PSG) is the “gold standard” for sleep studies, but this technique presents some drawbacks. Thus, this study intends to assess the capability of the new Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 to be used as a tool for sleep self-assessment. (2) Methods: This study will be an observational and prospective study set at the sleep unit of a hospital in A Coruña, Spain. Forty-three participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be asked to participate. Specific statistical methods will be used to analyze the data collected using the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 and PSG. (3) Discussion: This study offers a promising approach to assess whether the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 correctly records our sleep. Even though these devices are not expected to replace PSG, they may be used as an initial evaluation tool for users to manage their own sleep quality and, if necessary, consult a health professional. Further, the device may help users make simple changes to their habits to improve other health issues as well. Trial registration: NCT04568408 (Registered 23 September 2020). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Technology and Health)
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