An observational study on the accuracy of heart rate readings between smart watches and a hand held vital sign monitor in static and dynamic motions on a healthy young adult population

Lynn Fernandes, Waqar M. Naqvi*, Sakshi P. Arora, Chaitanya A Kulkarni

Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

There are various devices and applications available in the market that can be used to measure heart rates. These are becoming increasingly popular. Amongst these include the Apple watch, the Xiaomi MI Band and using the Thermal Application (T.A.P.) software (used through a Smartphone). In clinical practice and research, usually the E.C.G. Is used to measure the heart rates, (apart from manually counting the beats by palpation). The study will determine the accuracy of using the available devices in the market (previously mentioned), and also determine if they can be used on patients or subjects while sitting and walking, in clinical practice and researches. Method: It will be a comparative observational study. 50 students, selected as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria from Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences will be the subjects of this study. Their heart rates will be monitored with the three devices, and compared with the readings from an E.C.G. It will be done as per Bruce protocol during walking, and in static sitting. The accuracy of the devices will be determined by analyzing the results acquired. The devices are: Apple watch, Xiaomi MI band, and a smart Phone with Thermal Application (T.A.P.) software installed. The successful completion of the study will determine which of the devices show the most accurate heart rate readings, in what positions of a patient (sitting or walking) it would be acceptable to use these devices (in terms of accuracy) in the case where an E.C.G. is not available, or at a time of urgency. The study will also show if it would be appropriate to use these devices in clinical practice and research studies.

Keywords:

Hour Measurement, Smart Watch, Apple Watch, Exercise Intensity, Wearable Devices