Can the EmbracePlus wristband accurately measure peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) using reflective pulse oximetry during controlled hypoxia in healthy adults, including those with darker skin pigmentation?
Wearable Pulse Oximeter (Front Digit Health 2023, PMID 38111608) — bland-Altman analysis showed good concordance (bias, 0.05%; standard deviation, 1.66; lower limit, -4.7%; upper limit, 4.8%). The EmbracePlus wristband can assess SpO2 with clinically acceptable accuracy under no-motion and high perfusion conditions in healthy individuals of different ethnicities across the claimed range.
Source: Front Digit Health 2023, PMID 38111608 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: high
Front Digit Health · 2023 · PMID 38111608 · DOI 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915
The EmbracePlus wristband accurately measures blood oxygen levels in healthy adults, including those with darker skin, under controlled conditions.
The question
Can the EmbracePlus wristband accurately measure peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) using reflective pulse oximetry during controlled hypoxia in healthy adults, including those with darker skin pigmentation?
What they tested
The EmbracePlus wristband will demonstrate clinically acceptable accuracy in measuring SpO2 during controlled hypoxia, meeting FDA guidelines and showing consistent performance across different skin pigmentations and sexes.
How they did it
Healthy adult participants underwent a controlled desaturation protocol to achieve SaO2 levels from 100% to 70%. The EmbracePlus wristband measured SpO2, while reference SaO2 was obtained from blood samples analyzed by a co-oximeter. The study followed ISO 80601-2-61:2017 and FDA guidance, including 30% participants with dark skin pigmentation (Fitzpatrick V-VI).
What they found
The study yielded 373 measurements from 15 subjects. The accuracy root mean square (Arms) error was 2.4%, which is within the FDA's 3.5% limit. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) was found between wristband SpO2 and reference SaO2. Bland-Altman analysis showed good concordance (bias, 0.05%; standard deviation, 1.66; lower limit, -4.7%; upper limit, 4.8%). Accuracy was acceptable when stratified by skin pigmentation (2.2% in Fitzpatrick V-VI, 2.5% in Fitzpatrick I-IV) and sex (1.9% in females, 2.9% in males).
| Overall | 2.4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitzpatrick V-VI | 2.2 | |
| Fitzpatrick I-IV | 2.5 | |
| Females | 1.9 | |
| Males | 2.9 |
The Arms error for the EmbracePlus wristband was 2.4% overall, meeting the FDA's 3.5% limit. Accuracy remained acceptable across different skin pigmentations and sexes.
What it means
The EmbracePlus wristband can assess SpO2 with clinically acceptable accuracy under no-motion and high perfusion conditions in healthy individuals of different ethnicities across the claimed range.
Limitations
The study was conducted under no-motion and high perfusion conditions in healthy subjects. Further evaluations are needed for unhealthy subjects and during prolonged use in ambulatory settings.
The paper at a glance
| Magellan’s evidence label | reflective photoplethysmography (our label for this citation — see PubMed for the paper’s own title and authors) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Front Digit Health |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | 38111608 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Wearable Pulse Oximeter
Research on the biomarker this device tracks - blood-oxygen saturation and nocturnal hypoxemia - links greater overnight oxygen desaturation (quantified as the sleep apnea-specific 'hypoxic burden') to higher risks of hypertension, cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and cognitive decline in large cohorts…
A wearable pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that estimates peripheral blood-oxygen saturation…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Can the EmbracePlus wristband accurately measure peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) using reflective pulse oximetry during controlled hypoxia in healthy adults, including those with darker skin pigmentation? [Plain-English summary of Front Digit Health 2023, PMID 38111608, DOI 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html@misc{magellan_s176,
title = {Can the EmbracePlus wristband accurately measure peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) using reflective pulse oximetry during controlled hypoxia in healthy adults, including those with darker skin pigmentation?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 38111608; DOI 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915; Front Digit Health 2023. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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