Measuring energy use and sleep in young children using new technology
Official title: Using Open-Source Technology to Measure Energy Expenditure and Sleep Among Children 3 to 8 Years Old
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10993639 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kids aged 3 to 8 move around, rest, and sleep, using a comfy new device called PATCH that helps track their activity and sleep patterns, so we can better understand what keeps them healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $649,416 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171295-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993639 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 3 to 8 years who are willing to wear a monitoring device.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the age range of 3 to 8 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how children aged 3 to 8 years spend their time being active, sedentary, and asleep, which can impact their health. The study uses a new open-source wearable device called PATCH that combines heart rate and accelerometry data to provide accurate measurements of energy expenditure and sleep patterns. By validating this device in both controlled and everyday settings, the research aims to create reliable estimates of children's energy use and sleep. This approach addresses the limitations of existing devices that are often uncomfortable or not designed for children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better monitoring of children's health behaviors, ultimately improving their overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology for health monitoring, but this specific approach with the PATCH device is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Armstrong, Bridget R. — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Armstrong, Bridget R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how altered citric acid cycle fuels may help kids and adults with Complex I mitochondrial disease
A small study will look at how changes in the citric acid cycle and a molecule called 2-HG affect people with Complex I–related mitochondrial disease, to identify potential new treatment strategies.
-
Confidential social network referrals to boost HIV testing
A new approach uses anonymous mobile-text referrals to encourage people at risk to get HIV tested.
-
How brain cells move and translate messages to stay healthy in Alzheimer’s and related dementias
A study to understand how RNA binding proteins affect the way brain cells transport and translate messages, which may influence Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
-
Adolescent neurobehavioral outcomes after early nutrition: follow-up of a Bangladeshi trial
This project follows up on children who received nutrient-rich supplements in early life to see how it affects their brain development and behavior during adolescence.
-
Adolescent neurobehavioral outcomes after early-life nutrition in a Bangladeshi cohort
This project follows up teens who were part of an early-life nutrition trial to see how their development and behavior look years later.
-
Brain-boosting blood pressure pathways as a treatment to prevent and treat HAND in aging people with HIV
This research tests whether medicines that affect the brain’s blood-vessel system can protect brain cells and reduce inflammation in people aging with HIV who have cognitive problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.