Congenital Heart DiseaseWATCH-XPNCT07663799
Wearable Assessment of Thoracic, Cardiac Health and Exercise Performance Trial Prospective
An observational study of Congenital Heart Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
Wearable health technology, particularly smartwatches, has revolutionized personal health monitoring by enabling continuous, non-invasive tracking of various physiological parameters. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Congenital Heart Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Heart Failure
- What is being tested?
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2026to 31 Dec 2028
- Phase
- Observational
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients having adult congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension, heart failure or coronary artery disease, or are athletes undergoing cardiovascular assessment
Who may be able to join
- Age 20 to 70 years old
- Ability to provide informed consent
- History of the following cardiovascular conditions:
- Adult congenital heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Athletes undergoing cardiovascular assessment
Who cannot join
- Contraindication for undergoing physical exertion including cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT)
- Pregnancy
- Known allergy to components of the investigational product
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Hong Kong1 site
Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital
Hong Kong
Chun Ka Wong, +852 2255 3111, wongeck@hku.hk
About this study
Official title: Wearable Assessment of Thoracic, Cardiac Health and Exercise Performance Trial Prospective (WATCH-XP)
Wearable health technology, particularly smartwatches, has revolutionized personal health monitoring by enabling continuous, non-invasive tracking of various physiological parameters. The potential applications of these devices in cardiology are extensive, but it is crucial to validate their accuracy against established medical-grade devices.
The Apple Watch Series 9 (Apple, USA) exemplifies the capabilities of modern smartwatches, offering a wide range of health tracking features. These include heart rate monitoring, detection of irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation, electrocardiogram recording, blood oxygen level measurement, and comprehensive mobility metrics (including VO2 max, six-minute walk distance, walking speed, step length, double support time, and walking asymmetry). Many of these parameters are highly relevant for cardiovascular patients, potentially aiding in disease progression monitoring and adverse event prediction. However, there is a lack of comprehensive validation studies for these devices in specific cardiovascular disease populations.
This investigator-initiated, prospective observational study will consist of two phases: a training phase which involves 50 participants and a prospective validation phase which involves 20 participants. The study aims to validate smartwatch-based assessments using medical-grade devices and techniques. The study will focus on adult patients with congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and coronary artery disease, as well as athletes undergoing cardiovascular assessment. By comparing smartwatch data with established clinical measurements, we seek to determine the reliability and potential clinical utility of these wearable devices in diverse cardiovascular contexts. Anonymized smartwatch data collected during the two phases will be published to a publicly registry to facilitate further research. This research will help bridge the gap between consumer-grade wearable technology and clinical practice in cardiology.
Read the detailed description
This study is investigator-initiated, prospective observational study and will consist of two phases: a training phase and a prospective validation phase.
Training Phase (First Phase) 50 participants will undergo comprehensive baseline assessments and continuous physiological monitoring with the smartwatch. Data collected during this phase will be anonymized and exported to a public open-source training model.
At Visit 1 of the first phase, Comprehensive demographic and clinical data will be collected from each participant, Clinical Management System (CMS), Electronic Patient Record (ePR), and Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. This will include age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, and detailed medical history focusing on cardiovascular conditions. Information about current medications and smoking status will also be recorded. Additionally, participants will undergo a baseline clinical examination, including blood pressure measurement, heart rate, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram.
VO2max Participants will undergo a conventional cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) at Visit 1. This test will be conducted in a controlled clinical setting under the supervision of cardiologists. Participants will exercise on a treadmill while their respiratory gas exchange is measured using a metabolic cart. The exercise intensity will be gradually increased until the participant reaches volitional exhaustion or predetermined safety criteria are met. The highest oxygen uptake value achieved during the test will be recorded as the VO2max. Participant will concurrently be wearing the investigational smartwatch for pre- and post-SaO2 and VO2max assessment. This gold-standard measurement will serve as the reference for validating the smartwatch's continuous VO2max estimation.
6-Minute walk distance The 6-minute walk distance will be assessed in a hospital setting at Visit 2 of the first phase under the supervision of a research staff. Participants will be instructed to walk as far as possible in six minutes along a predetermined course, typically a straight hallway. The total distance walked will be measured and recorded. During the test, the research nurse will monitor the participant's heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and perceived exertion at regular intervals. Participant will concurrently be wearing the investigational smartwatch for pre- and post-SaO2 and VO2max assessment.
Oxygen saturation During the follow-up period of the first phase, participants will be provided with a medical-grade pulse oximeter for home use. They will be instructed to measure their oxygen saturation once daily throughout the one-week study period. Measurements should be taken at approximately the same time each day, preferably in the morning after waking and before any strenuous activity. Participants will record their oxygen saturation readings in a provided log. These daily measurements will serve as reference points for validating the continuous oxygen saturation data collected by the smartwatch.
Prospective Validation Phase (Second Phase) 20 participants will undergo similar assessments, with the primary aim of validating the smartwatch's measurements against medical-grade devices. Data collected during this phase also will be anonymized and exported to a public open-source training model.
At the Visit of the second phase, Comprehensive demographic and clinical data will be collected from each participant, Clinical Management System (CMS), Electronic Patient Record (ePR), and Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. This will include age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, and detailed medical history focusing on cardiovascular conditions. Information about current medications and smoking status will also be recorded. Additionally, participants will undergo a baseline clinical examination, including blood pressure measurement, heart rate, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram.
VO2max Participants will undergo a conventional cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) at Visit 1. This test will be conducted in a controlled clinical setting under the supervision of cardiologists. Participants will exercise on a treadmill while their respiratory gas exchange is measured using a metabolic cart. The exercise intensity will be gradually increased until the participant reaches volitional exhaustion or predetermined safety criteria are met. The highest oxygen uptake value achieved during the test will be recorded as the VO2max. Participant will concurrently be wearing the investigational smartwatch for pre- and post-SaO2 and VO2max assessment. This gold-standard measurement will serve as the reference for validating the smartwatch's continuous VO2max estimation.
- Conditions
- Congenital Heart Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Heart Failure, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Apple Watch
- Being tested
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Keywords
- apple watch, congenital heart disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease, pulmonary hypertension
- Medical subject headings
- Heart Defects, Congenital, Hypertension, Pulmonary, Heart Failure, Coronary Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Apple Watch Series 9Device
Participant will concurrently be wearing the investigational smartwatch for pre- and post-SaO2 and VO2max assessment.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| WatchXP | Participants will wear the investigational smartwatch (Apple Watch Series 9) concurrently for pre- and post-SaO2 and VO2max assessment during cardiopulmonary exercise test at the visit. Receives: Device: Apple Watch Series 9 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Correlation between CPX VO2max and smartwatch parameters (virtual VO2 max, physical activity parameters)
VO2 max (ml/min/kg) concurrently measured with a medical-grade device and a smartwatch which has virutal VO2 max and physical activity parameters as assessed during treadmill exercise
Measured: During treadmill exercise in the day of recruitment and concurrently baseline assessment
Secondary outcomes (5)
Correlation between VO2 max (ml/min/kg) obtained using medical-grade device and smartwatch
VO2 max (ml/min/kg) obtained using medical-grade device and smartwatch during supervised treadmill exercise
Measured: During treadmill exercise in the day of recruitment and concurrently baseline assessment
Correlation between SaO2 (%) obtained using medical-grade device and smartwatch
SaO2 (%) obtained using medical-grade device and smartwatch during supervised treadmill exercise
Measured: During treadmill exercise in the day of recruitment and concurrently baseline assessment
SaO2 (%) measured by the smartwatch
SaO2 (%) measured by the smartwatch during supervised treadmill exercise
Measured: During treadmill exercise in the day of recruitment and concurrently baseline assessment
SaO2 (%) in participants with severe disease and participants with mild disease
SaO2 (%) in participants with severe versus mild disease during supervised treadmill exercise
Measured: During treadmill exercise in the day of recruitment and concurrently baseline assessment
Novel markers or patterns
Novel markers or patterns indicative of disease severity or predictive of adverse events as assessed during supervised treadmill exercise
Measured: During treadmill exercise in the day of recruitment and concurrently baseline assessment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Congenital Heart DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The University of Hong KongThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Wong Chun Ka, The University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07663799
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- WATCH-XP
- Acronym
- WATCH-XP
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Mannhart D, Lischer M, Knecht S, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Strebel I, Serban T, Vogeli D, Schaer B, Osswald S, Mueller C, Kuhne M, Sticherling C, Badertscher P. Clinical Validation of 5 Direct-to-Consumer Wearable Smart Devices to Detect Atrial Fibrillation: BASEL Wearable Study. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2023 Feb;9(2):232-242. doi: 10.1016/j.jacep.2022.09.011. Epub 2023 Jan 18.
PubMed 36858690Guo Y, Wang H, Zhang H, Liu T, Liang Z, Xia Y, Yan L, Xing Y, Shi H, Li S, Liu Y, Liu F, Feng M, Chen Y, Lip GYH; MAFA II Investigators. Mobile Photoplethysmographic Technology to Detect Atrial Fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Nov 12;74(19):2365-2375. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.08.019. Epub 2019 Sep 2.
PubMed 31487545Perez MV, Mahaffey KW, Hedlin H, Rumsfeld JS, Garcia A, Ferris T, Balasubramanian V, Russo AM, Rajmane A, Cheung L, Hung G, Lee J, Kowey P, Talati N, Nag D, Gummidipundi SE, Beatty A, Hills MT, Desai S, Granger CB, Desai M, Turakhia MP; Apple Heart Study Investigators. Large-Scale Assessment of a Smartwatch to Identify Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2019 Nov 14;381(20):1909-1917. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1901183.
PubMed 31722151Chan PH, Wong CK, Poh YC, Pun L, Leung WW, Wong YF, Wong MM, Poh MZ, Chu DW, Siu CW. Diagnostic Performance of a Smartphone-Based Photoplethysmographic Application for Atrial Fibrillation Screening in a Primary Care Setting. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016 Jul 21;5(7):e003428. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003428.
PubMed 27444506Wong CK, Lau YM, Lui HW, Chan WF, San WC, Zhou M, Cheng Y, Huang D, Lai WH, Lau YM, Siu CW. Automatic detection of cardiac conditions from photos of electrocardiogram captured by smartphones. Heart. 2024 Aug 14;110(17):1074-1082. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2023-323822.
PubMed 38768982Wong CK, Un KC, Zhou M, Cheng Y, Lau YM, Shea PC, Lui HW, Zuo ML, Yin LX, Chan EW, Wong ICK, Sin SWC, Yeung PPN, Chen H, Wibowo S, Wei TLN, Lee SM, Chow A, Tong RCF, Hai J, Tam FCC, Siu CW. Daily ambulatory remote monitoring system for drug escalation in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: pilot phase of DAVID-HF study. Eur Heart J Digit Health. 2022 May 7;3(2):284-295. doi: 10.1093/ehjdh/ztac024. eCollection 2022 Jun.
PubMed 36713022