We've investigated why clinical researchers are flocking to Fitbit with its trackers used in over 100 studies and trials according to Clinical Trials.gov. Fitbit trackers have collected over 2 billion minutes worth of data in the name of research.
Now Fitbit has created its own database with its research partner Fitabase made up of 164 published studies which mention using Fitbit wearables. The Fitabase Research Library is designed to be a public one stop-shop resource for published and peer-reviewed studies using Fitbit technology. So, for now, it doesn't include dissertations and masters' thesis submissions.
You can check it out now and see the title, author, year, journal, wearable data used and links to more information for each entry as well as submitting new studies.
There are studies dating back to 2012 and topics range from recovery in the elderly after major surgery to increasing physical activity of young people with autism and self managing Type 2 diabetes. There's also a fair few studies testing the abilities and accuracies of the Fitbit trackers themselves.
Fitbit Group Health has also been publicising a Fitbit sponsored study by Springbuk that found that employers can save money on employees' healthcare costs with a Fitbit corporate wellness scheme. It's Fitbit sponsored so take everything with a pinch of salt but the study of 2,689 people found that businesses saved an average of $1,300 per employee on the scheme.
"These are looking at everyone from 'low-steppers' – around 6,600 steps per day – to those who we consider the 'worried well' and are stepping beyond the recommended 10,000 steps per day, and they are all getting a decreased healthcare cost," said Amy McDonough, VP of Fitbit Group Health, and one of our women to watch in wearable tech.
Via: Mobi Health News
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