WearableZone logo
  • News
  • Wearables
  • VR
  • Lifestyle
  • Reviews
  • Companies
    • Adidas
    • Apple
    • Fitbit
    • Garmin
    • Huawei
    • Jawbone
    • Microsoft
    • Moov
    • Nike
    • Pebble
    • Samsung
    • Spire
    • Withings
Search
WearableZone Logo
  • Sign up
  • or
  • Login
Search
  • News
  • Wearables
  • VR
  • Lifestyle
  • Reviews
  • Companies
    • Adidas
    • Apple
    • Fitbit
    • Garmin
    • Huawei
    • Jawbone
    • Microsoft
    • Moov
    • Nike
    • Pebble
    • Samsung
    • Spire
    • Withings
image_loader
Wearables

Wearable Sensors Can Help Identify Lyme Disease, Detect Risk For Type 2 Diabetes

  • share
  • pinterest
Conor Hockett Conor Hockett February 1st, 2017

According to a study conducted by scientists at Stanford University, wearable sensors can help identify the onset of Lyme disease and could help detect your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Wearable devices employ a variety of sensors to measure and interpret biometric data, but tech companies typically use this information as a way to gauge, and subsequently improve, your fitness level.  

Niche products like the Bloomlife pregnancy wearable show how the industry has expanded, but the Stanford study suggests that wearable sensors provide enough meaningful data to create a whole range of health-specific devices.

Wearable Sensors, Lyme Disease, And Type 2 Diabetes

During the study, scientists took 250,000 daily measurements from 43 people using a variety of wearable devices. For nearly a year, researchers investigated how well wearable sensors can track physiological differences that occur over the course of a day, during illness, and during other activities.

The study found that abnormal blood oxygen levels and heart rate readings are important indicators of Lyme disease. Data also showed a strong correlation between inflammatory response, elevated heart rate, and skin temperature.

Because subjects with Lyme disease displayed the highest outlying measurements in both heart rate and skin temperature, scientists determined that a wearable device with the appropriate sensors can help identify the onset of Lyme disease.

Related: Siren Smart Socks Use Temperature Monitoring To Help Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Scientists also examined the relationship between heart rate, BMI, physical activity, and steady-state plasma glucose levels as part of their research into early diabetes detection. The results indicated that individuals with different degrees of insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity have physiological differences that can be measured using wearable devices.

Because insulin resistance is a pre-diabetes indicator, scientists determined that wearable sensors could help detect an increased risk for this condition.

The study also found that airplane travel has a physiological impact on passengers. During high-altitude flights, radiation exposure increases while blood oxygen levels decrease, causing fatigue.

Related: Skylights wants to bring the virtual reality experience to your next flight

While a variety of wearables were used during the study, it’s important to note that one regularly-used device — the Basis Peak— was recalled in 2016 for safety concerns and is no longer available. However, this fact shouldn’t compromise the legitimacy of the study’s findings for two reasons:

  • Devices used frequently throughout the study, including the Basis Peak, were validated for clinical-grade accuracy by the manufacturer
  • Despite its recall, the Basis Peak has been widely heralded for the accuracy of its optical heart rate monitor

Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, President and co-founder of Valencell, spoke at length about wearable sensors at CES 2017. When describing the future of fitness wearables, LeBoeuf stated that consumers won’t see devices with new sensors, per se. Rather, the same sensors will just do different things.

And as for the future of health-specific wearables? Based on the study’s findings, it certainly looks like those same rules apply.

Abnormal heart rate and skin temperature readings could signal Lyme disease.

you might also like

  • The New Fitbit Blaze Offers GPS And On-Screen Workouts

  • The History Of Wearable Tech, From The Hamilton Pulsar To The Oculus Rift

  • The Future Of E-Paper Could Change The Way We See The World

  • The Surprising Way Your Fitness Tracker Makes You Healthier

  • google+
  • reddit
  • pinterest
  • #watch
  • #fitness
  • #style
  • #fashion
  • #budget

Tell Us What You Think

loader

Sign Up for News & Updates submitting...

Either you're already subscribed or this is an invalid Email Address.

Sweet Success! You've been subscribed to our newsletter.

Thanks for signing up!

  • Social Media
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Page
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • About
  • Meet the Team
  • About Page
  • Write For Us