Smartwatch app to track social interactions of stroke survivors may help maximize recovery

This does NOTHING to ensure recovery. Getting your survivor back to 100% recovery obviates the need for this secondary problem! CAN'T YOU PEOPLE THINK AT ALL?

Smartwatch app to track social interactions of stroke survivors may help maximize recovery

A smartwatch app designed to measure social interactions of hospitalized stroke survivors may enable new treatments to preserve or enhance cognition, social engagement and quality of life after a stroke, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026. The meeting is in New Orleans, Feb. 4-6, 2026, and is a world premier global event dedicated to advancing stroke and brain health science.(ABSOLUTE FUCKING BULLSHIT! You are doing nothing towards 100% recovery; THAT IS TOTAL INCOMPETENCE! 

I will against my better nature hope all of you discover schadenfreude when you have your stroke and DON'T RECOVER!)

Researchers developed a machine learning app called SocialBit, which is compatible with Android smartwatches, and can identify social interactions in both people with and without neurological conditions. The researchers noted that other devices to track social interactions are focused on people without disabilities. SocialBit is currently only available for use in research projects.

According to the American Stroke Association, the loss or change in speech (dysarthria) and language (aphasia) profoundly alters the social life of stroke survivors. Yet, research has shown that socializing is one of the best ways to maximize recovery after a stroke.

More to Consider

My previous research has demonstrated that stroke survivors who are socially isolated or have a smaller circle of friends and family have worse physical outcomes at 3 and 6 months after a stroke. We created a tracker of social life customized for stroke survivors. Tracking human engagement is crucial, and social isolation can now be identified in real-world situations. This may be addressed by notifying the patient, family members, caregivers and health care professionals of social isolation."

Amar Dhand, M.D., D.Phil., study lead author, associate professor of neurology, division of stroke and cerebrovascular disorders, department of neurology, Mass General Brigham, Boston

Amar Dhand, M.D., D.Phil., study lead author, associate professor of neurology in the division of stroke and cerebrovascular disorders in the department of neurology at Mass General Brigham in Boston

Researchers recruited 153 adults during their hospitalization for an ischemic stroke.

Participants wore a smartwatch with the SocialBit app while they were in their hospital rooms, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, for up to 8 days (some of which may have been after transfer to a rehabilitation hospital). The app logged the amount of socialization time according to acoustic patterns from the participant and/or another person talking, indicating social engagement. During the same timeframe, members of the research team watched a livestream video of the participants and logged the same minute-by-minute social interactions of the participants with others.

The researchers found:

• Compared with human observers, SocialBit was 94% as accurate in recognizing social interactions.
• In patients with aphasia, SocialBit maintained accuracy at 93%.
• SocialBit's performance remained consistent despite TV noise, side conversations, different environments (rehabilitation unit versus hospital) and across various Android smartwatch models.
• Participants who had a more severe stroke had less social interaction, with about a 1% drop in total social interaction minutes for each 1-point increase in the NIH Stroke Scale, a standardized tool used to assess the severity of a stroke.