Can pulse oximeters be trusted? new study puts them to the test
NCT ID NCT06925646
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.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Mayo Clinic Department of Anesthesiology
Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
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