Can pulse oximeters be trusted? new study puts them to the test

NCT ID NCT06925646

Not yet recruiting Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Mayo Clinic Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study will check how well pulse oximeters measure oxygen levels when blood flow to the hand is increased or decreased. Twenty healthy adults will breathe lower-oxygen air while researchers compare oximeter readings to blood samples. The goal is to see if changes in hand blood flow affect accuracy, especially in people with darker skin.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help make pulse oximeters more accurate for people with different skin tones and blood flow conditions.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study with only 20 healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to sick patients or real-world settings.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for OXYGEN SATURATION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Mayo Clinic Department of Anesthesiology

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States