Samsung has teamed up with the Massachusetts Normal Hospital (MGH) Diabetes Analysis Middle to analyze how wearables may help individuals on GLP-1 handle muscle loss. They’re particularly utilizing Galaxy Watch 8, which the corporate launched final 12 months, for his or her examine. Samsung says the examine will concentrate on investigating the “feasibility of managing muscle loss for GLP-1 sufferers by using biometric knowledge together with physique composition, exercise ranges and coronary heart price supplied by Galaxy Watch and Samsung Well being.”
In its announcement, the corporate has referenced a KFF ballot that claims almost one in 5 adults within the US has taken a GLP-1 drug sooner or later to handle Sort 2 diabetes and to reduce weight. With that many individuals utilizing the treatment, it is no shock that corporations like Samsung would wish to incorporate options that may serve them into their merchandise.
At this level, scientists are nonetheless determining the long-term results of utilizing GLP-1. Mayo Clinic’s David N. Brennan, M.D. stated certainly one of medical doctors’ rising issues is the lack of muscle mass. Over 30 p.c of weight reduction on the treatment might be from muscle, he wrote. And whereas it isn’t that completely different from the muscle loss one experiences with different weight-loss strategies, scientists are anxious that sufferers aren’t at all times regaining that muscle after they regain weight after stopping remedy.
Researchers from the College of Virginia carried out a examine into muscle loss from GLP-1 medication and decided that it may undermine long-term well being. “This can be a severe concern. Muscle, particularly axial muscle, is crucial for posture, bodily perform and total well-being,” they wrote. They defined that dropping lean physique mass will increase the chance of cardiovascular ailments, which may result in diminished high quality of life.
Samsung’s examine, which shall be led by Dr. Melissa Putman from the MGH Diabetes Analysis Middle, will divide 100 adults simply beginning GLP-1 remedy into two teams. One group will use Galaxy Watch 8 to observe their physique composition with its Bioelectrical Impedance Evaluation (BIA), in addition to to trace their bodily exercise and to get personalised train guides to forestall the lack of muscular tissues. The opposite group shall be given the usual steerage most individuals taking GLP-1 get. Researchers will then use clinical-grade DXA scans to trace the modifications within the members’ physique composition. By evaluating outcomes between the 2 group, they will determine if wearables just like the Galaxy Watch 8 can successfully assist individuals on the treatment.
“Many GLP-1 sufferers wrestle with muscle mass loss, a standard aspect impact that may trigger an elevated danger of heart problems and a drop in basal metabolic price, which might result in future weight regain,” stated Dr. Putman. “We’re inquisitive about exploring how steady knowledge from a wearable machine can present invaluable insights right into a affected person’s exercise ranges, coronary heart price and physique composition, giving clinicians a extra holistic view of remedy influence and permitting for extra well timed, data-driven changes to their care plan.”
Samsung recurrently collaborates with academic establishments to find out how its wearables can be utilized to observe and predict well being issues. It teamed up with Stanford College final 12 months to enhance its sleep apnea function. Extra not too long ago, it stated it discovered how you can predict fainting with “excessive accuracy” after working with the Chung-Ang College Gwangmyeong Hospital in Korea.
