Health Tech is one of the leading areas of Internet of Things development. Most of the research takes place in private research and development labs, universities, or groups made up of both schools and commercial companies. Typically anyone not actively involved in ongoing development has no role other than to potentially read press releases or news stories about promising technology “in the labs and still under development”.
Johns Hopkins Medicine is reaching out, inviting qualified people to participate in research and data gathering for the EpiWatch. The EpiWatch project at this point is a pair of apps for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Participants can use the apps to track and monitor seizures, daily medication, and possible medication side effects. When participants share their data with the researchers, they will also be able to compare their results with those of the full group in the study and document their own quality of life.
It’s imperative to note that this app is not intended to prevent or control seizures, but rather just monitor individual incidents which can potentially assist in managing seizures while adding to the study’s aggregate data. You can also message healthcare professionals and personal contacts with the app when you are tracking seizures, but the study managers stress that the app should not be relied upon for calling for needed assistance. In addition to your input, the heart rate accelerometer and gyroscope in the Apple Watch will allow the Johns Hopkins researchers to track movement and heart rate during your seizures.
Perhaps you’ve heard of collaborative medicine: the concept where the patient is a participant along with heath care professionals in his or her own care. This collaborative research opportunity gives people with epilepsy the chance to monitor and compare their own experience with others while at the same time contribute data to ongoing research that may result in information they and others can use in improving care and management. If you are interested in participating in the study, the Johns Hopkins EpiWatch site has more information.
