--- title: "Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary…" description: "Smartwatches are not accurate enough to monitor oxygen saturation in COPD patients during pulmonary rehabilitation." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html" type: "study" study_key: "d37193599" journal: "Respir Care" year: 2023 pmid: "37193599" doi: "10.4187/respcare.10760" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Smartwatch versus Pulse Oximeter [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d37193599 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Respir Care | | Year | 2023 | | PMID | [37193599](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37193599/) | | DOI | [10.4187/respcare.10760](https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.10760) | | Study key | d37193599 | ## Takeaway Smartwatches are not accurate enough to monitor oxygen saturation in COPD patients during pulmonary rehabilitation. ## The question Can wearable devices accurately measure oxygen saturation (S) in patients with COPD at rest and after physical exercise during pulmonary rehabilitation? ## Hypothesis The study aimed to examine the accuracy of S readings from wearable devices in patients with COPD, implying a question about their reliability compared to a standard pulse oximeter. ## Methods This cross-sectional study included 36 participants with COPD (20 women, ages 52-89). Oxygen saturation was measured concurrently using a Contec Pulse Oximeter CMS50D (comparator), an Apple Watch Series 7, and a Garmin Vivosmart 4. Measurements were taken at rest, immediately after a 30-s sit-to-stand test, and after a 6-min walk test (6MWT). ## Results For the Apple Watch, the root mean squared error (RMSE) was 3.5% at rest, 4.1% after the 30-s sit-to-stand test, and 3.9% after the 6MWT. For the Garmin Vivosmart, RMSE was 3.3% at rest, 6.1% after the 30-s sit-to-stand test, and 5.4% after the 6MWT. Both devices showed considerable measurement variance and tended to be less accurate at lower saturation levels. ## Conclusion The Apple Watch Series 7 and Garmin Vivosmart 4 overestimated S when it was 95% in participants with COPD. Wearable devices should not be used for monitoring oxygen saturation during pulmonary rehabilitation. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations beyond the observed inaccuracies of the devices, which inherently limit their utility. ## Verbatim from the abstract > monitoring peripheral oxygen saturation during pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended ## Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of Smartwatches vs. Pulse Oximeter | Measure | RMSE (%) | | --- | --- | | Apple Watch - Rest | 3.5 | | Apple Watch - Sit-to-Stand | 4.1 | | Apple Watch - 6MWT | 3.9 | | Garmin Vivosmart - Rest | 3.3 | | Garmin Vivosmart - Sit-to-Stand | 6.1 | | Garmin Vivosmart - 6MWT | 5.4 | *Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values indicate the deviation of smartwatch oxygen saturation readings compared to a pulse oximeter at rest and after two exercise tests.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Wearable Pulse Oximeter | Measurement tool | [Wearable Pulse Oximeter](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/176.md) | ## Reference 1. **Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Smartwatch versus Pulse Oximeter** Respir Care 2023 · [PMID 37193599](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37193599/) · [DOI 10.4187/respcare.10760](https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.10760) > monitoring peripheral oxygen saturation during pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html","name":"Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Smartwatch versus Pulse Oximeter","description":"Smartwatches are not accurate enough to monitor oxygen saturation in COPD patients during pulmonary rehabilitation.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.html#study","name":"Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Smartwatch versus Pulse Oximeter","headline":"Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Smartwatch versus Pulse Oximeter","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Respir Care"},"identifier":"PMID:37193599","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37193599/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.10760","abstract":"Smartwatches are not accurate enough to monitor oxygen saturation in COPD patients during pulmonary rehabilitation."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Wearable Pulse Oximeter](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/176.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).