Smartphone and smartwatch screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Official title: Mobile technologies to screen for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic adults
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11332756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses data from smartphones and smartwatches to spot early signs of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults who have no symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,475 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133531-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who have no symptoms but are concerned about blood sugar and who own a smartphone and/or smartwatch are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People already diagnosed with diabetes, those under 21, or those without a smartphone or smartwatch are unlikely to benefit from this screening approach.
What this research studies
If I join, I'll allow my smartphone and smartwatch to share sensor and activity data so researchers can look for patterns linked to blood sugar changes. The team will compare those device-based signals to blood tests like A1c and other glucose measures to see how well the devices detect prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. They plan to adapt algorithms they developed on research-grade wearables so the tool works on common consumer devices many people already own. Participation may include remote data sharing, short surveys, and occasional clinic visits for blood draws.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify prediabetes and diabetes earlier using devices you may already own.
How similar studies have gone: Similar wearable-based approaches have shown promise in smaller studies using research-grade devices, but adapting and validating them on common consumer smartphones and watches is still new.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunn, Jessilyn P — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Dunn, Jessilyn P
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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.