Could an apple watch spot hidden heart problems in kids?
NCT ID NCT06053372
First seen Jul 15, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study investigates whether an Apple Watch can accurately detect heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in children aged 6 to 21 who are already scheduled for standard heart monitoring. Researchers will compare the watch's ECG and heart rate readings to those from conventional clinical monitors to see if the watch can catch irregular heartbeats that short-term monitoring might miss. The goal is to determine if wearable technology could serve as a practical, less intrusive tool for diagnosing arrhythmias in young patients.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Apple Watch as a wearable heart monitor
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that smartwatches are a reliable, convenient tool for catching heart rhythm issues in children, potentially reducing the need for bulky clinical monitors.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study focused on accuracy, not treatment. The Apple Watch may miss some arrhythmias or produce false alarms, and results may not apply to all children.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
107 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Aug 2024
- Finished
-
Jan 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
6 to 21 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * All pediatric patients age 6 - 21 years undergoing clinically indicated arrhythmia monitoring * Patients with developmental ability (as determined by patient and parents) to safely wear the Apple Watch and utilize the patient activated trigger buttons on both the clinical monitor and the Apple Watch. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 6 years. Those under 6 many not be able to safely use the watch and have the developmental ability (as gauged by clinician and parents) to utilize the trigger features on the watch and cardiac rhythm monitor. * Inability to effectively utilize the triggered features of the monitor or watch * Patients unable to utilize the Apple Watch.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Arrhythmia in children are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, 94306, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.