Smartwatches vs. implants: a new way to catch Stroke-Causing irregular heartbeats?
NCT ID NCT06832579
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether smartwatches can detect atrial fibrillation (AF) in people who recently had a stroke. Participants already have an implanted heart monitor (the gold standard) and will also wear a smartwatch for 12 weeks. The goal is to see how well the smartwatch catches AF episodes compared to the implant, which could lead to easier and cheaper monitoring for stroke survivors.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Smartwatch (Apple Watch or PulseOn) for heart rhythm monitoring
- What this could lead to
- If successful, smartwatches could offer a non-invasive, low-cost way to detect hidden atrial fibrillation after a stroke, potentially preventing future strokes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study (84 people) testing sensitivity, not treatment. Smartwatches may miss short AF episodes or have lower accuracy than implanted monitors.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
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Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Clinic for Neurology
Bielefeld, 33611, Germany
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Johannes Wesling Klinikum Minden Universitätsklinik für Neurologie und Neurogeriatrie Hans-Nolte-Str. 1
Minden, 32429, Germany
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Klinik für Neurologie Klinikum Ibbenbüren Große Str. 41
Ibbenbueren, 49477, Germany
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Klinik für Neurologie Universitätsklinik der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität Breslauer Str. 201
Nuremberg, 90471, Germany
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Kliniken Südostbayern AG, Klinikum Traunstein
Traunstein, 83278, Germany
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Krankenhaus Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau
Halle, 06120, Germany
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Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie
Dresden, Germany
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RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt Von-Guttenberg-Straße 11 Akutneurologie II - Stroke Unit - klinische Forschung
Bad Neustadt an der Saale, 97616, Germany
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University Hospital Leipzig, Clinic for Neurology
Leipzig, 04103, Germany
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University of Essen, Clinic of Neurology
Essen, 45147, Germany
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University of Göttingen, Clinic for Neurology
Göttingen, 37075, Germany
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University of Mainz, Clinic for Neurology
Mainz, 55131, Germany
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Universitätklinikum Erlangen Neurologische Klinik, Schwabachanlage 6
Erlangen, 91054, Germany
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Zapping the brain to restore swallowing after stroke?
- Can Brain-Triggered stimulation reawaken arms after stroke?
- Can lifestyle choices after a stroke extend life and prevent a second one?
- Can Clot-Removing devices improve stroke recovery?
- Could a smartphone alert replace daily blood thinners for AF?
- A tiny neck implant could catch Stroke-Causing clots before they reach the brain