ACCURACY OF THE APPLE WATCH SE IN MEASURING DISTANCE AND MAXIMUM HEART RATE DURING A 6-MINUTE WALK TEST IN CARDIAC REHABILITATION PATIENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55374/jseamed.v9.249Keywords:
smart watch, 6-minute walk test, cardiac rehabilitation, maximum heart rateAbstract
Background: A 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), a submaximal functional test, is widely used in cardiac rehabilitation. Wearable devices, such as a smartwatch, offer a substantial benefit by potentially replacing manual processes.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of a smartwatch in measuring distance and maximum heart rate during a 6MWT.
Methods: The study was conducted at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Fifty-five Thai adults aged 20 to 75 years with cardiovascular diseases who attended an outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program were enrolled into the study. Before the 6MWT, participants were fitted with a smartwatch and monitored via EKG telemetry. Upon completing the test, the distance and the maximum heart rate from the smartwatch were recorded. A standard measuring wheel and EKG telemetry were used as reference standards to assess the smart watch’s accuracy.
Results: The mean distances recorded by the measuring wheel and the smart watch were 415.15 ± 72.26 meters and 475.29 ± 88.1 meters, respectively (p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for distance was 0.897 (95% CI: 0.823–0.94, p < 0.001). The maximum heart rates measured by EKG telemetry and the smart watch were 103.09 ± 13.19 bpm and 101.67 ± 13.93 bpm (p = 0.172), respectively, with an ICC of 0.915 (95% CI: 0.854–0.95, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The smartwatch provides accurate maximum heart rate measurements and reliable distance measurements during 6MWTs in an indoor cardiac rehabilitation setting. However, calibration for the distance measured by the smart watch may be necessary.
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