Standardized Data Protocols for Wearable Technology

This thought-provoking article examines how standardized data protocols for wearable technology could have been the key to reviving clinical trials that were halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors highlighted a critical challenge: while remote trials using consumer wearables offered a promising solution during lockdowns, the "wild west" of incompatible data formats across different devices created significant barriers to implementation.

The authors advocated for biotech, pharma, and tech companies to unite around common standards that would enable seamless data exchange across platforms.

With three out of four clinical trials worldwide suspended during the height of the pandemic, these recommendations for establishing minimum requirements for specific measurements remain highly relevant today as the industry continues to embrace decentralized and hybrid trial models.

The authors' call for standardization extends beyond pandemic-era concerns, offering a blueprint for how the clinical research ecosystem can better leverage wearable technology to reduce costs, improve patient experiences, and accelerate medical innovation in today's increasingly digital research landscape.

Disclaimer: This article originally appeared in STAT News on August 11, 2020, authored by Jordan Brayanov (Takeda), Jen Goldsack (Digital Medicine Society), and Bill Byrom (Signant Health). STAT News retains all rights to the original content.