Continuous Assessment of Active-Duty Army Special Operations and Reconnaissance Marines Using Digital Devices and...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Wearable Technology
• Military Health

Background:

• Chronic stress and frequent deployments increase Servicemembers' risk for mental health issues and suicide.
• A need exists for accurate, holistic health data collection from Servicemembers.
• This study addresses the vulnerability of Servicemembers to mental health problems due to prolonged stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a methodology for collecting comprehensive health data from Servicemembers.
• To utilize digital tools, including phone software and body-worn sensors, for holistic health monitoring.
• To provide Servicemembers with insights into their health and progress toward personal goals.

Main Methods:

• A secure research platform and mobile app were used to continuously collect multiple health measures.
• Participants used iPhones with a custom app and Apple Watches for over 6 months.
• Physiologic, psychologic, and cognitive data were collected, displayed, and analyzed across Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) domains.

Main Results:

• The integrated hardware and software system functioned as a user-facing health monitoring, educational, and delivery system.
• The system provided novel insights into the relationships between various health measures.
• Continuous data collection and feedback were achieved.

Conclusions:

• The wearable system effectively measured vital factors for Servicemember health and human performance.
• Real-time engagement in health optimization practices was facilitated.
• The system aimed to prevent physical or mental injury in Servicemembers.