Heart Rate Variability and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What HRV Looks Like with RA
Official title: Heart Rate Variability as a Continuous Digital Biomarker for Flare Activity Monitoring and Flare Resolution in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study Using the Oura Ring
Run by University of Central Florida · NCT07878975 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study checks whether continuous HRV data from an Oura ring can reflect RA disease activity in adults with RA.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Central Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Orlando, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07878975 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with RA diagnosed by the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria, regardless of baseline disease activity, who own a compatible smartphone and are willing to wear an Oura ring.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals unable to wear a ring or with conditions that invalidate HRV interpretation may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational study using the Oura ring to measureHeart Rate Variability continuously in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants will wear the ring during sleep and complete weekly remote assessments, with baseline and monthly follow-up visits. The goal is to see if HRV patterns relate to RA activity levels across a spectrum of disease activity. There are no active interventions; data collection focuses on linking wearable measurements to disease status. Eligible participants must have RA per 2010 criteria, own a smartphone, and speak English.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If a connection is found, HRV data from a wearable could help monitor RA activity more conveniently.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using wearables to track autoimmune disease activity have shown promising signals, but findings are still exploratory for RA.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of RA meeting 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria * Seropositive or seronegative RA eligible * Any baseline disease activity (remission/low/moderate/high) to minimize selection bias * Owns a compatible smartphone (iOS/Android) and is willing/able to use the Oura app * Willing to wear Oura Ring during sleep throughout study participation (target adherence ≥5 valid nights/week) * Willing to complete weekly remote assessments and attend baseline and three monthly routine follow-up visits * Able to read and write English language * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Atrial fibrillation or other clinically significant arrhythmias expected to invalidate HRV interpretation * Implanted pacemaker/defibrillator where HRV measurements are unreliable * Severe autonomic dysfunction likely to interfere with HRV interpretation (e.g., advanced diabetic autonomic neuropathy), per investigator judgment * Recent major cardiovascular event within 6 months (e.g., myocardial infarction) or uncontrolled heart failure (NYHA class III-IV), per investigator judgment * Current use of beta-blockers (excluded due to known autonomic/HRV effects) * Pregnancy or planned pregnancy during the study period * Inability to wear the ring reliably (e.g., occupational restrictions or hand deformity preventing wear) * Participation in another interventional clinical trial likely to confound outcomes
Where it's running
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University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Shazia Beg, MD — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Amoy Fraser, PhD, CCRP, PMP
- Email: Amoy.Fraser@UCF.edu
- Phone: 4072668742
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.