The Investigation of Wearable Technology Issues - Research Paper Example

Addapted Wearable Electronics Yaser Husain Ali Al Hosani Institution name: Lecturer name: Abstract Wearable technology has generated significant attention in recent years, with most existing devices helping people to better understand their personal health and fitness by monitoring heat rate, sleep patterns, exercise, and so on. The aim of this research study is to summarize the recent development in the field of wearable systems and sensors that are relevant to daily life. There is growing body of literature that focused on the application of wearable technology to monitor older adults and subjects with chronic conditions in the community and home settings. Wearable technologies described in this paper include those that focus on safety, health and wellness, home rehabilitation, early detection of disorder, and assessment of treatment efficacy. The integration of ambient sensors and wearable has been discussed in the context of achieving home monitoring of older adults and subjects with chronic illnesses. Keywords: Home monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wearable systems and sensors, smart home, telemedicine. Introduction The healthcare system has faced a lot of challenges. With the improvements in healthcare in the last two decades, people in developed countries are now living longer, but with many, often complex, health conditions (Aleksy et el, 2011). From an epidemiological standpoint, the increase number of older people in the U.S. have severely stress the Medicare system, while the recent healthcare reform efforts may add approximately 32 million patients to the healthcare system in few years. At moment there exist new technologies that hold great promise to expand the ability of the healthcare system, improving monitoring and diagnostics, extending its range into the community, and participating of individuals and maximizing the independence. Wearable sensors have monitoring, as well as diagnostic applications (Dunne, 2004). Their current capabilities include biochemical and physiological sensing, as well as motion sensing. It is hard to mention the magnitude of the healthcare problems that these wearable technologies might help to solve (Bonato, 2005). Physiological monitoring could help physicians in both ongoing treatment and diagnosis of a number of individual with cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological disease such as dysrthymias, hypertensions, and asthma (Chan et el, 2012). Motion sensing might help in preventing falls in homes and help maximize community participation and individual’s independence. Dunne (2004) argued that wearable computing supplements additional physical, cognitive, and psychological variables. As human computer interaction (HCI) moves nearer to the human skin, it has become more closely associated with the user’s personality. Virkki and Aggarwal (2014) stated that there are a lot of concerns like physical comfort, social acceptability, and ease of interaction in addition to expectations of users on the wearable devices that needs to be attended (Bonato, 2005). Focus of studies has been on performance/functionality, and since the soft prerequisites are often outer the know-how of the researcher (Dunne, 2004; Bristow et al., 2004). The thesis statement for this research study is has, the body adapted wearable electronics changed the health system. Research Questions This research study aims to give answers to four questions. The first question is concern with how will wearable technologies impact the future of healthcare. Wearable technology has promise to change the way healthcare service is delivered (Dunne, 2004). Wearable technology has led to an increase in patient self-management and a deeper level of patient engagement with healthcare systems, and has definitely changed the relationship between doctors and patient. The second question is: what social implications do body-adapted wearable electronic have? At moment wearable devices have been used to help people better understand their personal fitness and health by monitoring heart rate and exercise etc (Aleksy et el, 2011). These effects have empowered people to take a more active role in their wellbeing. The third question is: Considering body-adapted wearable electronics are worn on the body, what are its negative health impacts. Wearable devices are constantly emitting electromagnetic and radio signals close to our reproductive organs and out brains (Kaefer, 2003). Wearable devices are always with use, yet there is little research on long term health impacts. The last question will be: What benefits are presented when using Body-adapted Wearable Electronics, especially in the healthcare industry (Karlen, 2007). Wearable devices have generated significant attention over the last few years, with most existing wearable devices helping people to better understand their personal fitness and health by monitoring sleep patterns, heart rate, exercise, and so on. Literature Review Healthcare system according to Patel et al. (2012) is experiencing demoralizing setbacks. Wit healthcare improvements in the recent years, Patel and colleagues have claimed that people in developed nations are living many years, but with multifaceted health conditions (Karlen, 2007). In this situation, Patel and colleagues have proposed a wearable technology for the reasons that they have monitoring and diagnostic applications (Dunne, 2004). Their present capabilities as mentioned in the research study include physiological and biochemical (Karlen, 2007), in addition to motion sensing (Bonato, 2005). The research study conducted by Patel and colleagues have proves that it is not an easy task to exaggerate the extent of the challenges that wearable technologies can help solve (Patel, 2012). With increase in healthcare costs, Patel and colleagues have suggested that wearable technology should be espoused so as to remotely monitor wellbeing of patients as well as improving clinical interventions. Wearable technology has presents many new challenges to designers of these devices. The field of computer-human functional and interaction must each address new problems in the designs of wearable devices (Chan et el, 2012). Wearable technology have been found to introduce new social concerns, as it can mediate the way in which an individual using wearable technology can interact with others, be perceived by others and manages his or her own physical space (Aleksy et el, 2011). Because this field of wearable technology is new, the design of wearable devices has been unexplored. The design culture in current wearable device research, that of computer science and electrical engineering, is unused to addressing variables related to the human mind, body, and social interaction. Wearable technology has the potential to reduce the total cost in healthcare and improve the quality of health services by ensuring that those people who need it more urgent care get it sooner and by avoiding unnecessary hospitalisations (Bonato, 2005). In conjunction with wearable devices, health monitoring can contribute to the enhancement of disease management, early diagnosis, disease prevention, treatment and home rehabilitation. Latest development in nano- and microtechnologies as well as in wireless communication offer, today, the possibility for noninvasive biomedical measurement and smart miniaturisation as well as for wearable processing, sensing and communication (Bonato, 2005). Although developing specific applications and systems to address user needs, the wearable technology research faces a number of common critical issues, e.g. scenario of use data security and confidentiality, biomedical sensors, user interface, risk analysis, user acceptance and awareness, knowledge/decision support, dissemination, business models and exploitation (Patel, 2012). Beyond wearable technology, which seems providing proof of concept, future challenges suc as impact assessment of newly developed wearable applications and clinical validation, are ahead (Chan et el, 2012). In addition, cutting edge development combining functional clothing and integrated electronics open a new possibilities and research area for body communicating and health parameters. Methodology The methodology for the research study was experimental in design. Participants were pre selected but then randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group rotating through four wearable devices. The research employed both quantitative method and qualitative methods. Qualitative method included observing participants and blogs while quantitative method included seeking correlations between the wearable technologies from data gathered, intervening variables and individual and organizational metrics for performance and productivity gathered from survey. This research was supported by two quantitative research studies; the first among 60 IT decision makers undertaken by Vanson Bourne using an on-line questionnaire. The second among 2,000 US consumers, again via an on-line questionnaire, was undertaken by Vision Critical. Discussion Wearable technology has already made its impact on navigation, education, entertainment and communication; but perhaps the greatest potential of wearable technology lies in the healthcare sector. Huge amount of funds have been channeled into the research on newer wearable technology by various companies (Chan et el, 2012). Deloitte TMT Predictions 2014 has predicted that fitness bands, smart glasses and watches, will sell about 20 million units in 2014, generating over six billion dollars. While, according to an IDC report, consumers will purchase nearly 120 million wearable devices by 2018, an eighty per cent growth-rate from 2014’s predicted sales. Most of these wearable gadgets will be health related wearable devices. According to the study, an important factor that have been favor the adoption of wearable devices is that, it can help users to reduce their hospital costs (Aleksy et el, 2011). According to numerous research studies, hospital costs could drop by as much as 20 per cent over the course of 6 years. Over the years, wearable technology has changed the way healthcare services are rendered (Karlen, 2007). It has led to an increased patient self-management and a deeper level of patient engagement with health, and which it has changed the relationship between doctors and patient forever. Rapid advances in neuroscience have made it possible to measure brain activity using wearable devices. These wearable technologies will also be able to monitor stress levels and other conditions in humans (Patel, 2012). While eye scanning technology is capable of providing advanced notifications of wide range of heath conditions including hypertensions, diabetes and high cholesterol levels in the human blood (Kaefer, 2003). Such analysis to include both in nervous and cardiovascular systems will provide understanding of a personal future health (Patel, 2012). We live in a society where things are constantly changing and the outcomes of technology have an impact (Dunne, 2004). Powerfully, the author of this article illustrates how technology has made it possible for individuals with disabilities to operate and monitor equipment using their cognitive capabilities (Bonato, 2005). The author continues to set the stage for technology when providing strong examples such as the developments of advanced cancer treatments and wearable technology.  Wearable technology has expanded into different application such as: emergency services, healthcare, sport, fashion and entertainment. Currently, most existing wearable technologies have been used to help people better understand their personal fitness and health by monitoring heart rates and exercise. The effect this has on the social environment is that it encourages people to take a more active role in their individual well being. The effect this has on the people social environment is that it empowers different people to take an active role in their personal well being. According to the research study, 20 per cent of the respondent believes wearable technology is constantly electromagnetic signals and emitting radio close to human reproductive organs and brains (Chan et el, 2012). Wearable technologies are always with humans, yet 40 per cent of the respondents know very little about the long term health effects of these devices (Bonato, 2005). Wearable technology all broadcast electromagnetic signals when they are connected with digital signals or WiFi (Kaefer, 2003). These devices all constantly emit RF radiations, and because humans are always on their wearing devices, they are bombarded with radiations more so than ever before. Many respondents (52 per cent) in the research survey have suggested caution with the use of wearable technology, because the respondents believe radiation could increase the risk of cancer (Patel, 2012). For instance, one of the respondents stated that wearable technology increases humans total radiation exposure, because a person is likely to keep on his body, so humans are more likely to have a sustained close exposure. While wearable devices might meet the set standards that limits the level of electromagnetic exposure as tested by the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which measures the rate at which energy is absorbed by the body, one of the respondent stated, there is no standard that measures long term exposure of WiFi or Bluetooth at low levels (Aleksy et el, 2011). Wearable devices are like cellphone radiation. Majority users of wearable technologies are young people, according to Nielsen survey, 48 per cent of the users are between 18 years and 34 years old, and women and men are equally likely to use wearable devices (Chan et el, 2012). But this growing usage of wearable technologies have causes some patients and doctors, to voice their concerns over the breach of data security and privacy (Dunne, 2004). While wearable technologies are supposed to make healthcare better, there is also an increased risk of third party access to data that is meant to patients and their doctors. The potential use of wearable devices has recently caused much excitement within the healthcare sector (Aleksy et el, 2011). The discussion of the benefits has been centered on biometric sensors and their ability to gather information to be used by the user or their doctors (Patel, 2012). Wearable technology puts a patient’s personal health data in his or her own hands. Ten or 20 years ago, almost all patients relied solely on a physician’s opinion for feedback on health progress and treatment (Kaefer, 2003). Now most patients are able to monitor their own health from their homes. Patients are able to educate themselves and make their health decisions on health issues that affect their bodies. Some wearable devices send vital information about disease markers and organ function right to doctors. This gives doctors access to an in-depth data when making a diagnosis or monitoring chronic disease (Dunne, 2004). Diabetes patients have benefited from a number of wearable technologies that monitor deliver insulin, blood glucose levels, track food intake and activity levels, and transmit data straight to their physicians (Chan et el, 2012). For example, the Freescale KL02 chip, can be embedded directly in a diseased organ or swallowed with medications. The wearable technology then sends biometric readings back to the physician or patient via Wi-fi, which allows the health professional to monitor and diagnose problems based on the information gathered from inside a patient’s body. Conclusion The focus in this research study was the investigation of wearable technology issues as complex, interrelated issues relating to cognitive, physical and social needs of the user. Each component of the research study was designed to investigate different aspects of the wearable technology. No one study provides a comprehensive solution to any issue, but they individually raise important issues and offer solutions. In traditional process, one issue would be addressed from the start to finish, with many iteration of the design process as necessary. However, in this research study there was sufficient awareness of the issues involved in designing for the functionality. Because of this, multiple explorations of important issues of wearable devices was conducted, making use of the structure of a traditional design process to help ensure as thorough an analysis as possible References Aleksy, M., Rissanen, M. J., Maczey, S., & Dix, M. (2011). Wearable Computing in Industrial Service Applications. Procedia Computer Science, 5, 394–400. Bonato, P. (2005). Advances in wearable technology and applications in physi-cal medicine and rehabilitation.Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation,2(1):2 Chan, M., Estève, D., Fourniols, J.-Y., Escriba, C., & Campo, E. (2012). Smart wearable systems: Current status and future challenges. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, 56, 137–156. Dunne, L. E. (2004). The Design of Wearable Technology: Addressing the Human-Device Interface Through Functional Apparel Design. Cornell University. Ithaca, New York: Lucy E. Dunne. Patel, S., Park, H., Bonato, P., Chan, L., & Rodgers, M. (2012). A review of wearable sensors and systems with application in rehabilitation. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 9(21), 1-17. Kaefer, G., Prochart, G., and Weiss, R. (2003). Wearable alertness monitoring for industrial applications. In Proc. Seventh IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pages 254–255 Karlen, W., Mattiussi, C., and Floreano, D. (2007). Adaptive sleep/wake classification based on cardiorespiratory signals for wearable devices. InProc. IEEE Biomedical Circuits and Systems Conference BIOCAS 2007, pages 203–206, Montreal, Quebec. Read More