OH is common among PD patients and can increase the risk of falls for those in the elderly age group and may already have existing cardiovascular diseases. Measuring blood pressure (BP) frequently can help detect critical fluctuations for diagnosing and managing PD.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch Active2 and the latest Galaxy Watch4 feature sophisticated sensors that can monitor BP through pulse wave analysis, which is tracked with Heart Rate Monitoring sensors. Users can closely monitor their blood pressure and other vitals in the Samsung Health Monitor app and share them with medical professionals in a PDF file format during consultations.¹

A research team at the Samsung Medical Center, led by Dr. Jin Whan Cho and Dr. Jong Hyeon Ahn, compared BP measurements collected by the Galaxy Watch3 with those measured by a sphygmomanometer to compare accuracy. The test found that using Galaxy Watch3—which is more portable and convenient than a conventional sphygmomanometer—allows PD patients to measure their BP wherever and whenever they need to, and easily track any BP fluctuation.

The test was conducted on 56 patients—with a mean age of 66.9—with a sphygmomanometer reference on one arm and the Galaxy Watch3 on the other. Each patient had their BP measured with both devices three times.

The findings show that BP measured by both the Galaxy Watch and the sphygmomanometer were comparable. The mean and standard deviation of the differences were 0.4 ± 4.6 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) and 1.1 ± 4.5 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP). The correlation coefficient (r) between the two devices was 0.967 for SBP and 0.916 for DBP. The closer the correlation coefficient is to 1, the more the two devices track each other.

The research team said, “Orthostatic hypotension is a common and challenging symptom that affects people living with PD. But it is hard to screen just by observing symptoms, and the problem may go undetected when measuring BP.” The team added, “If we could use a smartwatch to measure patients’ BP regularly and detect potential issues at an early stage, it would really help treat and manage PD.”

The study, led by Dr. Cho and Dr. Ahn’s research team, titled “Validation of Blood Pressure Measurement Using a Smartwatch in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease”, was published in the latest issue of the leading medical journal Frontiers in Neurology.

Blood pressure monitoring is currently offered through the Samsung Health Monitor app² available in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the UAE, and the UK.

To find out more about the Samsung Health Monitor app and other features of Galaxy Watch4 series, visit:

Galaxy Watch4: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch4

Galaxy Watch4 Classic: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch4-classic

¹ To ensure accuracy, users should calibrate their device every four weeks with a traditional blood pressure cuff. The Samsung Health Monitor app cannot diagnose hypertension, other conditions, or check for signs of a heart attack. This app should only be used for measuring for ages 22 and above. It is not meant to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

² Requires Samsung Galaxy Smartphone with Android 7 or later, and Samsung Health Monitor app which is available only at the Samsung Galaxy app store. Due to local restrictions in acquiring approval/registration as a medical device, Samsung Health Monitor app only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the markets where service is currently available.

The research was carried out in partnership with Samsung Medical Center, Asia’s leading hospital with outstanding health care services and research achievements. Samsung has been working in collaboration with Samsung Medical Center for over 10 years, focusing on the impact mobile devices can have on hearing and researching new ways to optimize sound experiences for users. This latest research marks an important next step in Samsung’s ongoing commitment to collaborating on pioneering innovations that benefit people in their everyday lives.

The study assessed the efficacy of a hearing aid, a personal sound amplification product, and Galaxy Buds Pro. According to the authors, no other study has yet included true wireless earbuds when evaluating the clinical performance of hearing devices. The study is the first to demonstrate the potential benefit of true wireless earbuds for individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairments and has the potential to improve the lives of 1.5 billion people globally who are currently living with some degree of hearing loss.¹

“With rapidly aging populations it’s expected that, by 2050, one in ten people will have hearing loss1. But while hearing aids are useful for managing hearing impairments, uptake remains relatively low, mainly due to the high price,” said Il Joon Moon, Associate Professor at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Samsung Medical Center. “The initial study findings are very promising and encourage people to discover alternative devices, such as Galaxy Buds Pro, that can support them in their day to day lives.”

Galaxy Buds Pro, the hearing aid, and the personal sound amplification product underwent three key tests: electroacoustic assessment, sound amplification evaluation, and a clinical performance evaluation.

Electroacoustic Assessment

First, the electroacoustic characteristics of each device were assessed to see if they met the key performance criteria for hearing aids: output sound pressure level, frequency range, equivalent input noise, and total harmonic distortion. The results revealed that Galaxy Buds Pro met each of these four criteria, indicating that they show comparable performance to hearing aids.

Sound Amplification Evaluation

Then, a sound amplification evaluation was performed to examine if the devices adequately boosted sound. Each device was tested at seven different frequencies, and all showed an appropriate level of amplification.

Clinical Performance Evaluation

Finally, a clinical performance evaluation investigated changes in individuals’ hearing levels both with and without the devices, and their ability to recognize words and sentences. Participants had mild to moderate hearing loss, with a median age of 63 years. Statistical significance was observed at 1,000Hz, 2,000Hz and 6,000Hz, meaning Galaxy Buds Pro sufficiently amplified sound at the three frequencies of speech pitches. Furthermore, in total, over 57 percent of the participants reported that Galaxy Buds Pro were able to help them communicate in a quiet environment.

It was also discovered that, when wearing Galaxy Buds Pro, individuals were able to understand spoken words better–the results found statistically significant improvement in performance for the three devices compared to that in the unaided condition (Figure). This suggests that along with hearing aids and personal sound amplification products, Galaxy Buds Pro could potentially provide communicative benefit for individuals with hearing loss, and especially for those with mild and moderate loss.

“As we develop new products and services, we are mindful of how our technology can help people to defy barriers and do more,” says Han-gil Moon, Master and Head of Advanced Audio Lab, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “These findings reflect our ongoing commitment to creating innovations that enable everyone to better enjoy everyday experiences, and we plan to extend the test to more participants in the coming months.”

Galaxy Buds Pro feature Ambient Sound, which can amplify nearby sounds by up to 20 decibels and, with four levels to choose from, users are able to adjust and customize how they experience sound according to their needs.

To read the full study, please visit: https://www.e-ceo.org/journal/view.php?number=783. For more information about Galaxy Buds Pro, please visit: www.samsung.com/galaxy-buds-pro.

About Samsung Medical Center

Samsung Medical Center is the most renowned and trusted hospital in Korea. Since its establishment in 1994, the hospital has pursued great medical advancement in all areas including treatment, research, education and medical service. In addition, Samsung Medical Center was officially appointed as a medical evacuation hospital for the White House of the United States in 1996 and established the largest cancer center in Asia in 2008. For more information about Samsung Medical Center, please visit: https://www.samsunghospital.com/gb/language/english/main/index.do.E

¹ March 2021. WHO, Deafness and hearing loss. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

Upon the center’s repurposing, doctors and medical staff from Samsung Medical Center and other hospitals across the country arrived in groups to volunteer as assistants at the center. The local community welcomed patients with open arms, putting up a welcome sign. Local and central governments and public offices took care of operations, while members of the military, policemen and firefighters handled the transfer of patients and other support. A joint team was created and worked collaboratively to run the center.

The operation allowed regular hospitals to focus on treating patients with more severe symptoms during the waves of coronavirus outbreaks. As the situation in Korea eased, the center wrapped up its activities on April 30, with the last group of patients leaving the next day.

The Yeongdeok Center, originally a company retreat for employees and their families, has transformed into a place for treatment and care. We’d like to share some memories of the past two months at the center that have meant a lot to us.