The new Research app allows scientists to conduct studies on Apple users. Today, Apple launches three new studies for the platform.
By Chand Bellur
November 14, 2019 at 4:57 p.m. PDT
Apple Launches Three New Studies
Medical research typically involves a long and convoluted process. Patients must be recruited and enrolled. They need to maintain scheduled visits to medical facilities, which occupies time. Some patients drop out of the study, due to hardships or scheduling conflicts. Making the process easier produces better science.
Apple’s synergistic ecosystem features a family of products that work together seamlessly. Devices such as the Apple Watch are tightly coupled with the iPhone. Given that the Apple Watch can monitor vital signs, medical research is an ideal application of the technology.
The Research app launched as part of iOS 13.2. The new app allows researchers to enroll patients in medical studies and gather data using Apple Watch and the iPhone.
Today, Apple has launched three new studies for the Research app — Apple Heart and Movement Study, Apple Women’s Health Study and Apple Hearing Study.
Apple Heart and Movement Study
Apple has partnered with the American Heart Association and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for a new study on activity and heart health. The study will use the Apple Watch and iPhone to gauge activity and heart health.
Apple Women’s Health Study
Partnering with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Apple’s Research app is being used on a groundbreaking women’s health study. The research is trying to understand how demographics and lifestyle factors influence women’s health. Menstrual cycle data collected on the iPhone is used in the study.
Apple Hearing Study
The Apple Watch is capable of monitoring background noise. The feature informs users of dangerous levels of background noise, capable of damaging hearing. Apple has put this feature to use with the Research app, once again leveraging platform synergies. Along with the University of Michigan, Apple’s new study looks at the link between noise, stress and heart disease.
How to Enroll in Research App Studies
Enrolling in Research app studies is easy. Potential participants can sign up for studies directly on their iPhone.
Those interested in participating should be aware that the Research app is designed to protect privacy. Unless you have opted out of a passcode, everything on your iPhone is only visible to you or trusted apps. Everything else is encrypted. This ensures that your medical data will never be used against you.