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A new study by researchers from аIJʹÙÍø Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia has assessed the feasibility, adherence, and usability of a digital health study developed with Apple’s ResearchKit. The research, published in Frontiers in Digital Health, aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Labs Without Walls app and paired Apple Watch devices for remote data collection among Australian adults aged 18–84. 

The study employed a multi-timescale measurement burst design over an 8-week period. Participants were required to download the app, complete tasks remotely, and wear Apple Watch devices. Feasibility was evaluated based on recruitment, remote consent, and data collection without training. Adherence was measured by task completion rates, while usability was assessed through response times, a post-study survey, and qualitative feedback. 

The findings suggest that digital health studies utilising ResearchKit can be both feasible and effective for remote research, offering valuable insights into the potential of mobile technologies in health promotion and data collection. Apple Watch devices were also found to be suitable for remote, passive data collection.

"By addressing challenges and incorporating participant feedback, future research can further enhance the accessibility and impact of app-based studies in the field of ageing research," says lead author Dr Brooke Brady, Associate Investigator at the аIJʹÙÍø Ageing Futures Institute. 

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