Researchers are increasingly looking at these devices and other such wearables as a possible early warning system for the deadly virus.
The researchers said the system could offer clues of infection in people not yet showing symptoms -- helping address one of the problems in detection and containment of the deadly outbreak. Early indications suggest the devices"have the potential to identify people who are presymptomatic but still infectious," said Jennifer Radin, a Scripps epidemiologist leading the research.Radin told an online conference discussing the research that wearables are detecting"subtle changes that indicate you are coming down with a viral illness" before the onset of symptoms.
Resting heart rate, for example, is a good indicator because it is normally consistent before an infection, and can be accurately measured by most wearables.Eric Topol, director of the Scripps institute, said the idea of using wearables is promising because"over 100 million Americans have a smart watch or fitness band" which can provide key data for researchers, but that getting good results"is contingent on getting large numbers" to opt into the studies.
Apple has begun studies on how its smartwatch can detect heart problems. And Fitbit has been working with some 500 different projects for research on cancer, diabetes, respiratory and other health issues.