Wearable devices can effectively track some aspects of our physical and mental well-being, such as sleep quality and heart rate. However, they fall short when it comes to measuring stress levels. A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science found that self-reported and wearable measures of stress did not overlap for most participants. The study, which analyzed data from 781 college students over three months, showed weak associations between smartwatch data and self-reported emotional states.
The researchers used a Garmin Vivosmart 4 watch to collect data on physical activity, sleep patterns, and other health metrics. However, the correlation between stress levels and the smartwatch was “basically zero.” The study’s findings raise important questions about what wearable data can tell us about mental states and caution against relying solely on these devices for health information.
The study did find some strengths in wearable technology, particularly as a sleep tracker. Two-thirds of participants had significant overlap between their wearable’s data and self-reported assessments of sleep quality. The researchers were also able to predict extra sleep time based on participants’ reports of good or bad sleep days. This highlights the importance of using multiple measures to assess health and mental well-being.
As more public bodies invest in wearable devices for health applications, it is essential to subject these technologies to academic scrutiny. The “Making America Healthy Again” agenda, announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aims to promote widespread use of wearable devices among Americans. However, this raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of these devices in measuring stress levels and other mental health metrics.
Source: https://uk.pcmag.com/wearables/159515/dealing-with-stress-maybe-your-new-fitness-tracker-cant-help