Apple Watch Could Help Treat Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms, Study Suggests

The Apple Watch can help treat a key symptom of sickle cell disease and changes to Apple's speech recognition algorithm could help people with a stutter, new studies propose.

apple watch series 6 product red back
According to a study conducted by researchers at Duke University's Day Hospital (via MyHealthyApple), the Apple Watch could help treat vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), a key complication caused by sickle cell disease that often hospitalizes patients due to severe pain. The research indicates that machine learning using the Apple Watch's collected health data can discover trends to predict pain among people with sickle cell disease, which could provide an early warning signal and enable treatment via painkillers and saline hydration before it becomes more severe.

Researchers enrolled patients with sickle cell disease to Day Hospital for a VOC between July 2021 and September 2021 into the study, providing them with an Apple Watch Series 3 for the duration of their visit. 15,683 data points from the Apple Watch's heart rate, heart rate variability, and activity data were cross-referenced with pain scores and vital signs from the hospital's electronic medical record to create a machine learning model to predict VOCs.

In another newly published study submitted by Colin Lea, a research scientist at Apple who works on machine learning and accessibility related features, it is proposed that changes to Apple's speech recognition algorithm and machine learning could help alleviate problems for people with a stutter, significantly reducing cut-off utterances and word error rates by almost 80 percent.

Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

MayaUser Avatar
30 months ago
This Apple Watch started slow, with nobody knowing what it can do or how can it be usefull....and in 10 years can be a must have health accessory
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vicviper789 Avatar
30 months ago
I wish there was a feature to zap my wrist when I go to pick up a donut
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
30 months ago
Another reason why Apple Watch is the best ⌚️ watch in this world. ?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Crowbot Avatar
30 months ago

This Apple Watch started slow, with nobody knowing what it can do or how can it be usefull....and in 10 years can be a must have health accessory
Right. I realized the benefit of the Apple Watch the first time I fell (not serious) and the fall detection went off. It makes me feel safer.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sdz Avatar
30 months ago

There's so much untapped potential in Apple Watch still to come with new sensors down the road.

Personally, I would love to see Apple venture into mental wellbeing - for example, imagine the watch is able to tell when you are stressed or anxious, and then it interrupts that unproductive pattern by offering instructions to breathe or meditate.

Could be a game changer for people who chronically worry or stress.
Hey you! Put that glass of wine down! *Vibration intensifies*
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
30 months ago

Right. I realized the benefit of the Apple Watch the first time I fell (not serious) and the fall detection went off. It makes me feel safer.
I just fell the other day (not serious either). Was out for a walk and tripped on an uneven sidewalk. Fall detection did go off. It’s a good thing to have.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)