Wearables – Wristify Project

In this entry to the “Wearables in Healthcare Challenge“, I propose a pilot project to evaluate the ability of the Embr Labs Wristify heating/cooling bracelet to bring comfort to persons with an inability to effectively regulate their body temperature, a form of dysautonomia.  In an earlier #Research entry I describe the personal and scientific inspirations for this project.

This device allows the wearer to receive temporary cooling or heating through their wrist.  The Wristify was a finalist for the Intel “Make It Wearable” Development track.  Embr labs is careful to disclose that the device does not claim to alter core body temperature.

I think this project offers a number of interesting scientific questions that will be informative for both dysautonomia and wearable devices research.  For example:

• What is the frequency of activation of the device?
• Under what conditions does a person with dysautonomia activate the device?
• To what extent does activating the device affect perceived comfort?
• What are the power limitations and requirements and how do these affect utilization?

If my entry wins the Embr Labs Prize, I would develop a formal protocol for review by our IRB(s).  I would want to gain feedback from Embr labs and additional stakeholders before describing the details of the protocol, but in general I would identify a cohort of pediatric participants with temperature regulation dysautonomia.  An unaffected group would also be assessed.  These children or youth would receive a Wristify.  Their parents would populate a REDCap survey describing conditions before and after activating the device.  The consent would be clear that the device does not modify core body temperature.  Appropriate precautions would be implemented to ensure that use of the device does not mask serious complications.  Results from this pilot would then be used to explore a broader study.

Please consider voting for this project.  This concept is also closely related to my other entry about using wearable thermometers to better understand “personal normal” body temperature for individuals with dysautonomia.  Voting requires a simple registration with Medstro, a new social network focused on health care.  The winners from each of seven categories are determined by a combination of public voting and judges scores.

Disclosures:

• I have no financial interest in Embr Labs or Medstro.
• If chosen for the Grand Prize, I would direct the funds through the charitable arms of UMKC and Children’s Mercy to use to assist with costs (personnel, data capture, recruitment) associated with the pilot.