Hearables: Ear-ECG and PPG for Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmias

NCT ID: NCT06667258

Last Updated: 2024-10-31

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-31

Study Completion Date

2024-12-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this observational study is to determine the feasibility of detecting abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias, by recording Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Photoplethysmogram (PPG) waveforms from the ears in patients who have already been diagnosed with arrhythmias. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Can ECG and PPG signals from the ears reliably detect arrhythmias?
* How do ear-based ECG/PPG waveforms compare to standard single-lead ECG in detecting abnormal rhythms?

Researchers will compare data from healthy controls and arrhythmia patients to see if ear-based recordings are as effective as traditional methods.

Detailed Description

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The main goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of detecting abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias, by recording Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Photoplethysmogram (PPG) waveforms from the ears.

The study includes both healthy control subjects and patients who have already been diagnosed with arrhythmias. These individuals will be approached by a clinical member of the research team during their hospital stay or outpatient visit at Imperial College NHS Trust (ICHNT). Patients will be given comprehensive information about the study through a patient information sheet and will be asked for their written informed consent, with adequate time provided for questions and understanding.

To capture Ear-ECG/PPG waveforms, a variety of standard medical-grade sensors and electrodes will be placed in and around both ears. These include standard EEG electrodes on each mastoid secured with medical-grade gel, and an in-ear foam-based earpiece (like commercial earplugs) with cloth electrodes. An additional PPG sensor (MAX30101 from Maxim Integrated) will be attached to the back of the ear with adhesive medical tape. The patient will also be connected to a standard single-lead ECG and a blood pressure cuff, already part of their standard care on the hospital ward.

Once the setup is complete, each patient will follow 3 different recording protocols displayed on a screen. Patients will be asked to sit upright (Protocol 1) and engage in a series of simple activities with designated breaks in between, including head movements, counting aloud to 60, chewing gum (or simulating chewing), walking (if able) freely under medical supervision with assistance if needed (Protocol 2), slow controlled breathing and immersing their hand in cold water (Protocol 3). The total recording time including setup will be approximately 20 minutes.

Conditions

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Arrhythmia

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Healthy

Volunteers who have not been diagnosed with any heart rhythm problems, or patients whose heart rhythm issues are not showing up at the time of recruitment.

Ear ECG/PPG sensors

Intervention Type DEVICE

Medical graded electrodes placed in the mastoid, in-ear foam-based earpiece (like commercial earplugs) with cloth electrodes, off-the-shelf pulse oximeter placed behind the ear

Arrhythmia patients

Patients who have been previously diagnosed with an abnormal heart rhythm and are showing signs of it when they join the study.

Ear ECG/PPG sensors

Intervention Type DEVICE

Medical graded electrodes placed in the mastoid, in-ear foam-based earpiece (like commercial earplugs) with cloth electrodes, off-the-shelf pulse oximeter placed behind the ear

Interventions

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Ear ECG/PPG sensors

Medical graded electrodes placed in the mastoid, in-ear foam-based earpiece (like commercial earplugs) with cloth electrodes, off-the-shelf pulse oximeter placed behind the ear

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Able to give informed consent;
* Healthy and diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias.

Exclusion Criteria

* No abnormal ear anatomy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Imperial College London

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Nicholas S. Peters, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Imperial College London

Locations

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Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

London, Non-US/Non-Canadian, United Kingdom

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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Patrik Bachtiger, MBBS

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 07814396281

Email: [email protected]

Cheuk F. Wong

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 02075949832

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Patrik Bachtiger

Role: primary

References

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von Rosenberg W, Chanwimalueang T, Goverdovsky V, Peters NS, Papavassiliou C, Mandic DP. Hearables: feasibility of recording cardiac rhythms from head and in-ear locations. R Soc Open Sci. 2017 Nov 15;4(11):171214. doi: 10.1098/rsos.171214. eCollection 2017 Nov.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29291107 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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318229

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

22HH7866

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id