Apple Watch: a ‘pragmatic’ clinical trial with J&J to track heart health

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Results from a study conducted by Stanford researchers working with Apple showed that using the Apple Watch to detect atrial fibrillation probably won’t cause an epidemic of worrisome diagnoses. But it didn’t really answer most of the questions doctors or consumers have about using the watch in this way. 

But Apple is taking the next step, teaming with Johnson & Johnson to a conduct a study of 180,000 people over the age of 65 to get a better understanding of the Apple Watch’s impact on health. The study will randomly assign patients to either receive the watch and a digital app to keep them engaged, or nothing. Dr. C. Michael Gibson, president and CEO of the Baim Institute for Clinical Research and a Harvard professor, will co-chair the study, called HEARTLINE.(...)

Why is J&J interested? It co-markets the blood thinner Xarelto, used in some patients with atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of stroke. And it is developing other stroke-preventing drugs. But the company has also expressed interest in getting into digital clinical trials, and partnering with Apple is not a bad way to get started.

The HEARTLINE study is expected to begin in late 2019.(Más)