Researchers have developed the world’s first system to predict if someone is about to faint using data from their smartwatch.
A clinical study involving 132 patients at Chung-Ang University Hospital used a Samsung Galaxy Watch to develop a real-time warning system using biosignals from a wearer’s heart rate.
The system was able to predict impending fainting episodes, known scientifically as vasovagal syncope, up to five minutes in advance with more than 80 per cent accuracy.
“It’s not uncommon for syncope patients to suffer trauma from falls, and in extreme cases, some experience severe injuries such as fractures or cerebral hemorrhage,” said Professor Junhwan Cho from the Department of Cardiology at the hospital, who led the research.
“An early warning from this technology could give patients advance time to get into a safe position or call for help, which would dramatically reduce the incidence of secondary injuries.”
The researchers used the photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor on the Galaxy Watch 6 in order to collect heart rate variability data from the patients.
An AI algorithm was then used to analyse the data in order to determine whether or not a fainting episode was about to occur.
It is the first time a commercial smartwatch has successfully provided an early prediction system for fainting.
“This study is an example of how wearable technology can help shift healthcare from being designed for ‘post-care’ to a model of ‘preventative care’,” said Jongmin Choi, who leads Samsung’s research and development in health.
“We are committed to driving technological innovation that empowers our users to lead healthier everyday lives.”
The tech giant is now planning to integrate the health monitoring capabilities into its smartwatches and other wearable tech devices.
The research findings were published in the latest issue of European Heart Journal – Digital Health in a study titled ‘Prediction of vasovagal syncope using artificial intelligence-enabled smartwatch photoplethysmography-derived heart rate variability’.
