JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With an increase in aging population and chronic medical conditions in the United States (US), the role of informal caregivers has become paramount as they engage in the care of their loved ones. Mounting evidence suggests that such responsibilities place significant burdens on informal caregivers and can negatively impact their own health. New wearable health and activity trackers (wearables) are increasingly being used to facilitate and monitor healthy behaviors and to improve health outcomes. Although prior studies have examined the efficacy of wearables in improving health and wellbeing in the general population, little is known about their benefits among informal caregivers.

Objective:

This study examines the association between use of wearables and levels of physical activity among informal caregivers in the US.

Methods:

We utilized data from the National Cancer Institute’s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5-Cycle 3 [2019] & Cycle 4 [2020]) for a nationally-representative sample of 1,273 community-dwelling informal caregivers (aged ≥18 years; females = 60%; some college or more in education = 75.7%; caring for patients with ≥one chronic medical condition = 67.3%) in the US. Using jackknife replicate weights, a multivariable logistic regression was fit to assess an independent association between the use of wearables and a binary outcome: meeting or not meeting the current World Health Organization’s recommendation on physical activity for adults (≥150 minutes of at least moderate-intensity physical activity per week).

Results:

Over one-third (37.8%; n=466) of the informal caregivers met the recommendations for adult physical activity. However, those who reported using wearables (n=390) had slightly higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations (Adjusted OR= 1.10; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.04, 1.77; P=.042) compared to those who did not use wearables.

Conclusions:

The results demonstrate a positive association between the use of wearables and levels of physical activity among informal caregivers in the US. Therefore, efforts to incorporate wearable technology into the development of health-promoting programs or interventions for informal caregivers could potentially improve their health and wellbeing. Future longitudinal studies are required to further support the current findings.