Using wearable devices to prevent hospitalizations during cancer treatment

Wearable Activity Tracking to Curb Hospitalizations (WATCH)

University of California, San Francisco · NCT06587100

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 typeObservational
Enrollment260 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco (other)
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT06587100 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

Not a fit: Patients who are wheelchair-bound or require assistance to ambulate will not benefit from this study.

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 performed: Other studies utilizing wearable technology for health monitoring have shown promise, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \>= 18.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2.
* 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 this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Hematopoietic Neoplasm, Malignant Solid Neoplasm, Lymphatic System Neoplasm, Activity tracking, Hospitalization prevention, Artificial Intelligence modelling

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.