Refereed journal article or data article (A1)

Feasibility of smart wristbands for continuous monitoring during pregnancy and one month after birth




List of AuthorsGrym Kirsi, Niela-Vilén Hannakaisa, Ekholm Eeva, Hamari Lotta, Azimi Iman, Rahmani Amir, Liljeberg Pasi, Löyttyniemi Eliisa, Axelin Anna

Publication year2019

JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Article number34

Volume number19

Number of pages9

ISSN1471-2393

eISSN1471-2393

DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2187-9

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/37810668


Abstract

BackgroundSmart wristbands enable the continuous monitoring of health
parameters, for example, in maternity care. Understanding the
feasibility and acceptability of these devices in an authentic context
is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of
using a smart wristband to collect continuous activity, sleep and heart
rate data from the beginning of the second trimester until one month
postpartum.MethodsThe feasibility of a smart wristband was tested
prospectively through pregnancy in nulliparous women (n=20). The
outcomes measured were the wear time of the device and the participants'
experiences with the smart wristband. The data were collected from the
wristbands, phone interviews, questionnaires, and electronic patient
records. The quantitative data were analyzed with hierarchical linear
mixed models for repeated measures, and qualitative data were analyzed
using content analysis.ResultsParticipants (n=20) were recruited at a
median of 12.9weeks of gestation. They used the smart wristbands for an
average of 182days during the seven-month study period. The daily use of
the devices was similar during the second (17.9h, 95% CI 15.2 to 20.7)
and third trimesters (16.7h, 95% CI 13.8 to 19.5) but decreased during
the postpartum period (14.4h, 95% CI 11.4 to 17.4, p=0.0079).
Participants who could not wear smart wristbands at work used the device
300min less per day than did those with no use limitations. Eight of
the participants did not wear the devices or wore them only occasionally
after giving birth. Nineteen participants reported that the smart
wristband did not have any permanent effects on their behavior. Problems
with charging and synchronizing the devices, perceiving the devices as
uncomfortable, or viewing the data as unreliable, and the fear of
scratching their babies with the devices were the main reasons for not
using the smart wristbands.ConclusionsA smart wristband is a feasible
tool for continuous monitoring during pregnancy. However, the daily use
decreased after birth. The results of this study may support the
planning of future studies and help with overcoming barriers related to
the use of smart wristbands on pregnant women.


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Last updated on 2022-07-04 at 17:11