Why wearables matter for health

In this episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes three members of the World Sleep Society's consumer health technology task force—Dr. Michael Chee,  Professor and Director of the Center for Sleep and Cognition at the National University of Singapore who chaired the guideline-writing task force; Dr. Mathias Baumert, an associate professor leading the biomedical engineering discipline of the school of Electrical and Mechanical engineering at Adelaide University in Australia, and Dr. Cathy Goldstein, professor of neurology at the University of Michigan.  to discuss their global recommendations for the use of consumer sleep technology and wearable health trackers.

Consumer wearables have become ubiquitous in clinical practice, with patients routinely sharing device data. While some clinicians have historically dismissed this information, attitudes are shifting as technology improves and rigorous research examines sensors, algorithms, and data quality. Dr. Chee explains that the recommendations are designed for multiple audiences: end-users, clinicians, researchers, and manufacturers, with specific guidance for each group.

The conversation addresses practical considerations: the assumption that users have good perfusion, how bed partners can influence movement detection, and the fundamental truth that the best device is one patients will actually wear properly. The panel discusses recent FDA regulatory changes and clarifies whether guidance applies only to non-FDA cleared wellness devices or has broader implications.

The experts systematically review various metrics from wearables. They introduce TATS (total attempted time in sleep) and explain what clinicians should know about sleep onset and offset detection.

The episode emphasizes the call for standardized Fundamental Sleep Measures and greater transparency about test populations used in device validation. Dr. Baumert discusses the need to co-create benchmarks for measurement accuracy across different contexts—from persons with normal sleep to shift workers to those with sleep disorders.

Whether you're skeptical about consumer wearables or seeking guidance on interpreting patient-generated data, this episode provides evidence-based recommendations for moving forward responsibly.

Join us for this important discussion about embracing consumer sleep technology while maintaining clinical rigor.