The Future Is Here For Clinical Trials, And It Introduces New Risks

By Jennifer Dennis-Wall, Ph.D.

Apps and wearables present exciting, new ways to improve clinical trials. Some apps are designed specifically to help people search for trials and to alert registered users of new studies. Wearable devices, or wearables, can also obtain accurate, real-time measures of physical activity or biometrics such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Both apps and wearables can be designed to transmit data directly to a centralized data repository. With the data automatically input into an electronic data capture, or EDC, system, there is less of a need to travel to study sites to verify source documents. This allows for more efficient monitoring of the trial.

Mobile phone apps and wearable devices have a lot of potential to improve clinical studies. However, the rules governing them are complex, varied, and not fully developed. It is important to be vigilant and remember best practices before rushing out to jump on the latest and greatest. Failure to do so could result in significant issues for your trial when it comes time to submit for approval. Read why it is important to be vigilant and remember best practices before rushing out to jump on the latest and greatest.