First Apple ResearchKit app launches in the UK
pharmafile | August 7, 2015 | News story | Medical Communications | Apple, clinical trial, heart disease, researchkit, strokes
The first ResearchKit app to be made available to users outside of the US has launched in the UK.
The MyHeart Counts app is now available in the UK Apple store, as well as to users in Hong Kong. The iPhone app is a personalised tool that allows users to learn about their own heart health while also participating in a large-scale study, designed by cardiologists at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
The study is one of the largest cardiovascular research trials ever conducted, and will look at the effect of physical activity on heart health and the risk of heart disease and strokes. It uses the iPhone to keep track of how active people are throughout the day, using the ResearchKit software.
At the beginning of the study users answer survey questions, before using their iPhone (or a wearable device linked to Apple Health App) to collect activity data for seven days. People who are able will also complete a physical activity test, and then enter information about their risk factors and blood tests to determine their risk scores for developing heart disease or a stroke, as well as a relative ‘heart age’. The app will check and update the information every three months, and people will be encouraged to continue using the app for as long as possible to build up the bank of information from which users can draw on.
The researchers say that the aim of the app, and the study, is to give people feedback with which they can be “more informed and empowered in their health”. Currently there is little evidence that participation in ResearchKit studies can change human behaviour in this way, but the Stanford team say using mobile phones could be a useful tool to educate people while preventing diseases and ill health.
“For most of us, we only see our doctor or nurse a few times per year but our phone is with us every day. This can help with measuring our daily activities plus give us access to heart information 24/7, wherever you are. We can also get feedback on different ways to help improve our daily behaviours to keep our heart healthy.”
Lilian Anekwe
Related Content
UCB announces first-in-patient trial success for galvokimig in atopic dermatitis
UCB has reported positive early clinical trial results for galvokimig, an investigational therapy for adults …
FDA approves Wegovy for treatment of MASH in adults with liver fibrosis
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval for Wegovy (semaglutide) as …
HUTCHMED completes enrolment in phase 3 trial for lung cancer
HUTCHMED has completed patient enrolment for the SANOVO phase 3 clinical trial, investigating the use …
