Using a wearable sensor to measure social interactions after stroke

SocialBit: Establishing the accuracy of a wearable sensor to detect social interactions after stroke

NIH-funded research Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11003331

This study is testing a special wearable device called SocialBit that helps track how stroke survivors interact with others in real life, so we can better understand how socializing affects their recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003331 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of a wearable device called SocialBit, which detects social interactions among stroke survivors by analyzing audio signals in real-world settings. The goal is to provide an objective measure of social engagement, which is crucial for recovery, especially for patients who may struggle with communication due to language or cognitive deficits. By accurately capturing social interactions without compromising privacy, the study aims to enhance understanding of how social engagement impacts recovery in the immediate post-stroke period. The research will involve testing the device in a controlled inpatient environment to validate its effectiveness.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults recovering from a stroke, particularly those experiencing language or cognitive challenges.

Not a fit: Patients who are not recovering from a stroke or those without any social interaction deficits may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery outcomes for stroke survivors by promoting social interactions.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data suggests that similar approaches using wearable technology for social interaction detection have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.