Saint Luke's Cancer Institute in Kansas City, Mo., has partnered with Olathe, Kan.-based wearable tech company Garmin and Overland Park, Kan.-based data analytics firm TeraCrunch to launch a study of advanced cancer patients.
The study will begin in mid-June, when 50 to 70 stage four cancer patients at Saint Luke's will receive Garmin Viviosmart 4 wearable devices. As the devices track factors such as the patients' heart rates, sleep patterns and stress levels, TeraCrunch will use that data to develop artificial intelligence algorithms that can predict when patients will experience adverse reactions and when a physician must be notified.
"When you have advanced cancer and you're undergoing treatment, there are side effects from the treatment and side effects and complications from the cancer itself," Tim Pluard, MD, Saint Luke's medical director, said. "Every time you have one of these events, you're draining your reserves, and these patients have limited reserves."
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