--- title: "Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography" description: "The EmbracePlus wristband accurately measures blood oxygen levels in healthy adults, including those with darker skin, under controlled conditions." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html" type: "study" study_key: "s176" journal: "Front Digit Health" year: 2023 pmid: "38111608" doi: "10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915" 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" --- # Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s176 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Front Digit Health | | Year | 2023 | | PMID | [38111608](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38111608/) | | DOI | [10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915](https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915) | | Study key | s176 | ## Takeaway 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? ## Hypothesis 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. ## Methods 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). ## Results 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). ## Conclusion 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. ## Verbatim from the abstract > the wristband could assess oxygen saturation with clinically acceptable accuracy ## EmbracePlus Wristband Accuracy (Arms Error) by Group | Measure | Arms Error (%) | | --- | --- | | 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.* ## 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. **Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography** Front Digit Health 2023 · [PMID 38111608](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38111608/) · [DOI 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915](https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915) > the wristband could assess oxygen saturation with clinically acceptable accuracy ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html","name":"Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography","description":"The EmbracePlus wristband accurately measures blood oxygen levels in healthy adults, including those with darker skin, under controlled conditions.","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/s176.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":"Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s176.html#study","name":"Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography","headline":"Evidence: reflective photoplethysmography","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Front Digit Health"},"identifier":"PMID:38111608","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38111608/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1258915","abstract":"The EmbracePlus wristband accurately measures blood oxygen levels in healthy adults, including those with darker skin, under controlled conditions."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Wearable Pulse Oximeter](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/176.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Assessment of Noninvasive Oxygen Saturation During Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Smartwatch…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37193599.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).