JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Modern lifestyle is heavily affected by technology such as smartphones, tablets and other small computers. Yet, it remains unclear how our health and wellbeing are affected by the heavy use of these devices.

Objective:

The present feasibility study aims to test the experimental protocol for a forthcoming large-scale community-based study and to get estimates of parameters for sample size calculation. The aim of the large-scale study is to investigate 1) the use of a wearable tracking device on aerobic capacity (VO2max/kg) and 2) the effect of restricting media use on total sleep time.

Methods:

Twenty healthy participants were included and equipped with a wrist-worn device tracking physical activity and sleep. Participants were allocated to either a physical activity group, who was instructed to use the wrist-worn device to support exercise or a sleep silent group, who was instructed to remove or switch off all electronic devices in the bedroom (except the wrist-worn tracking device). The intervention lasted approximately four weeks. Data collected included blood pressure, submaximal cycle ergometer test, self-reported technology use as well as compliance of using the wearable tracking device.

Results:

Participants in the Physical Activity group increased aerobic capacity from 30.38±8.98 to 32.1±8.71 mL/kg/min (t=-2.31, p=0.046) and decreased their systolic blood pressure from 126.5±15.8 to 121.8±11.7 mmHg (t=2.72, p=0.02). The Sleep Silent group prolonged their time offline before bedtime from 18.1±19.4 to 27.2±17.3 min (t=-2.94, p=0.02). All participants wore the wearable tracking device 95,8±4.4% of the time.

Conclusions:

The experimental protocol is feasible to conduct. Participants were willing to wear the tracking device on their wrist and restrict all media use in their bedroom and thereby reduce bedtime technology usage. Our results also suggest that tracking physical activity using a wearable device is accompanied by noteworthy health benefits. We outline necessary adjustments for a forthcoming large-scale study. Clinical Trial: No trial registration has been obtained because the study is a feasibility study and not a RCT-study.