RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Accuracy of Smartwatches in Measuring Oxygen Levels in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Pilot Study

This study aims to find out how accurately smartwatches can measure oxygen levels in people who have pulmonary hypertension, a condition affecting the lungs and heart. We want to see if these everyday devices give similar results to what doctors use, like a special clip on your finger or a blood test from your wrist. Researchers will compare oxygen levels from smartwatches with these more traditional methods. They'll check your oxygen when you're resting, after a short walk, and when you breathe a lower amount of oxygen through a mask, which helps to see how your body reacts to higher altitudes. The idea is to see if smartwatches could be a helpful tool for people to keep an eye on their oxygen levels at home. If you join, you'll only need to visit the hospital once for a few hours to complete all the tests.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Golden Jubilee National Hospital

Enrolment target

Start

17 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Pulmonary Hypertension

What is this study about?

This study is looking into how well smartwatches can measure the amount of oxygen in your blood if you have a condition called pulmonary hypertension. This is a condition where the blood pressure in the arteries going from your heart to your lungs is too high. Being able to accurately check oxygen levels is important for people with this condition.

The main aim is to find out if smartwatches give measurements that are close to those taken using medical equipment in a hospital. This includes comparing them to a finger probe that clips onto your finger and also to a blood test taken from an artery in your wrist. Researchers will test the smartwatches' accuracy in a few different situations: when you are sitting quietly, after you have done some exercise, and after you have breathed in air with a lower level of oxygen through a mask. This last test helps to see how your oxygen levels might change if you were in a place with less oxygen, like at a high altitude.

The hope is that if smartwatches are found to be accurate enough, they might offer a convenient way for people with pulmonary hypertension to monitor their oxygen levels at home. This could help them keep track of their health and share information with their doctors more easily. This is a 'pilot study', which means it's a smaller, early-stage study to see if a larger study would be worthwhile.

Key takeaways

This study checks how well smartwatches measure oxygen levels in people with pulmonary hypertension.
It compares smartwatch readings to hospital equipment and blood tests.
You'll visit the hospital once for a few hours for all assessments.
Measurements are taken at rest, after exercise, and in lower oxygen conditions.
Participation could help improve future home monitoring for people with pulmonary hypertension.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. You also need to be able to do a six-minute walk test, which is a common test to see how far you can walk in that time. Most importantly, you must be able to understand the study and agree to take part in writing.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have a condition that affects the blood flow in your arms or legs, or if you have tattoos or marks on your wrist where the smartwatch would sit. Also, if your oxygen levels are very low already (below 88% while resting), or if you have other serious health problems that would make taking part difficult or mean you don't have long to live, you wouldn't be able to join.

If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants), you generally can't take part. However, if you are only taking anticoagulants because of your pulmonary hypertension, you might be able to pause them for one week before the study visit if your doctor agrees and you are happy to do so. This would need to be very carefully discussed with the study team and your own doctors.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Do you have a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension?
Can you walk for six minutes?
Do you not have serious blood circulation problems in your arms or legs?
Are you able to agree to take part in writing?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will need to come to the hospital just once. This single visit will take a few hours to complete all the necessary measurements and tests. Before any study activities begin, a different doctor from the research team will sit down with you to make sure you fully understand everything about the study and answer any questions you have. You will then be asked to sign a consent form, which gives your permission to take part.

During your visit, a special thin tube, called an arterial line, will be gently placed into an artery in your wrist by an experienced doctor. This allows for easy and accurate collection of small blood samples to measure your oxygen levels. At the same time, we will also check your oxygen levels using a smartwatch and a clip on your finger. These readings will be taken when you are resting, after you complete a six-minute walk test, and during a test where you breathe a lower level of oxygen through a mask.

There are no medications to take as part of this study, and no follow-up visits are required after your single hospital visit. The total duration of your involvement will be just that one visit.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some benefits, such as helping us to better understand how smartwatches could be used to monitor your condition in the future. While this study won't directly improve your health, the information we gather could help many other people living with pulmonary hypertension. There are some small risks involved, mainly related to having the arterial line placed in your wrist, which could cause some discomfort, bruising, or, rarely, other issues. The research team will explain these risks in detail and carefully monitor you throughout your visit. You are free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Golden Jubilee National Hospital
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious condition where the blood pressure in the arteries leading from your heart to your lungs is too high.

Will I have to stay in the hospital?

No, you will only need to visit the hospital for a single few-hour appointment to complete all the study tasks.

Will I get to keep the smartwatch?

The study information doesn't say you will keep the smartwatch. It's used for measurements during your visit.

What is an oxygen level test?

It's a way to measure how much oxygen is in your blood. This is usually done with a finger clip, a blood test, or sometimes with a smartwatch.

Will this study help me personally?

This study is designed to help future patients, rather than directly helping you right now. However, your participation will provide valuable information for research into pulmonary hypertension.

How to find out more

Martin Johnson, BA, MBChB(Hons), MD, FRCP

martin.johnson@nhs.scot (0044) 0141 951 5497 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.