Study: Apple Watch can predict a positive COVID-19 diagnosis up to a week before testing

A new study from Mount Sinai researchers published in the peer-reviewed “Journal of Medical Internet Research” found that wearable hardware, and specifically the Apple Watch, can effectively predict a positive COVID-19 diagnosis up to a week before current PCR-based nasal swab tests, reports TechCrunch.

The “Warrior Watch Study,” used a dedicated Apple Watch and iPhone app and included participants from Mount Sinai staff. The Warrior Watch study uses a unique iPhone app to administer questions and collect data from an Apple Watch worn by participants. Participants were asked to follow three steps throughout the study: 

• Download the Warrior Watch App.
• Answer a brief daily survey about symptoms and stress.
• Wear an Apple Watch regularly during the study period.

TechCrunch says The Warrior Watch Study was not only able to predict infections up to a week before tests provided confirmed diagnoses, but also revealed that participants’ HRV patterns normalized fairly quickly after their diagnosis, returning to normal roughly one to two weeks following their positive tests.