Reliability and validity analysis of smartwatches use for healthcare

Abstract

The utilization of Smartwatch as a wearable sensor is one of the emergings of E-health development. It is easier to carry anywhere becomes one of the supporting factors. However, it is essential to examine the reliability and validity of smartwatches in measuring Heart Rate and Blood Pressure associated with medical uses. Methods: Eighty-eight healthy participants are recruited to be measured heart rate and Blood Pressure. The reliability and validity were determined by comparing the smartwatches with the home standard Blood Pressure using mean differences, Bland Altman plot, Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Cronbach's alpha. Results: the reliability varied based on the ICC, ranging from 0.533 to 0.852. Two smartwatches showed relatively weak ICC and broad limits of agreement of the Bland–Altman plots at both heart rate and Blood Pressure Measurement. F1 Smartband Bracelet Watch showed slightly better results for heart rate measurement than Y2 Plus Smart Wrist Band.

Conversely, Y2 Plus Smart Wrist Band demonstrated the best accuracy at Systolic measurement. And for Diastolic Blood Pressure was relatively the same in reliability and validity. Conclusion: The reliability and validity of smartwatches use, especially for healthcare, are still less accurate for the clinical standard because the ICC was lower than <0.9. but for everyday use, it is good reliability and validity. For future work, the accuracy of sensor reading of smartwatches needs to improve to reach the clinical standard.