Multi-modal wearable system to track mobility and thinking in older adults
Official title: SCH: Multi-modal Biosensing and Predictive Analytics for Continuous Monitoring of Mobility and Cognition in an Aging Population
Funded at Tufts University Medford · NIH-11333338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A wearable sensor system will continuously monitor movement and cognition in people aged 65 and older to help detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Medford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $273,019 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG091766-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults 65 and older, including those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals under 65 or those without mobility or cognitive concerns may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project develops a comfortable wearable patch system that can be worn long-term to measure gait, posture, head motion, heart rate variability, and other signals. The data will feed advanced machine learning to create a nuanced view of how mobility and cognition change over time in older adults. It focuses on real-world use outside of lab visits, aiming to capture gradual changes in everyday life. The goal is to enable earlier detection and better understanding of how aging affects thinking and movement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to earlier detection of AD/ADRD and more personalized monitoring for aging individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Wearable sensing and health informatics approaches have shown promise in younger populations and are being adapted for older adults.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Medford
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonkusale, Sameer R — Tufts University Medford
- Study coordinator: Sonkusale, Sameer R
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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.