Using wearable devices to prevent hospitalizations during cancer treatment
Official title: Wearable Activity Tracking to Curb Hospitalizations (WATCH)
Run by University of California, San Francisco · NCT06587100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether using wearable devices can help predict and prevent hospital visits for patients getting radiation therapy for cancer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 260 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 7, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06587100 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of invasive malignancy who can ambulate independently and are scheduled for radiation therapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are wheelchair-bound or require assistance to ambulate will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to collect patient-generated health data through wearable devices to predict the risk of emergency department visits or hospitalizations for patients undergoing radiation therapy for various malignancies. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups, receiving either a Fitbit device or using their own Apple HealthKit-based device while receiving standard care. The study will validate existing predictive models based on step counts and electronic health records to enhance the understanding of patient activity levels and their correlation with acute care needs. The ultimate goal is to develop a multi-modal predictive model that can improve patient outcomes during treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the number of hospitalizations for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy by enabling proactive interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies utilizing wearable technology for health monitoring have shown promise, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>= 18. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2 or Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) \>= 50%. * Able to understand study procedures and to comply with them for the entire length of the study. * Ability of individual or legal guardian/representative to understand a written informed consent document, and the willingness to sign it. * Diagnosis of invasive malignancy. * Able to ambulate independently (without the assistance of a cane or walker). * Planned treatment with fractionated external beam radiotherapy over at least 5 days (no fractional requirement). * Not a previous participant on this protocol for subsequent courses. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants bound to a wheelchair. * Participants unable to ambulate independently (needing assistance of cane or walker).
Where it's running
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Julian Hong, MD, MS — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Imani Dunn
- Email: Imani.Dunn@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 877-827-3222
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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.