New Study Finds Smartwatches Aren’t That Good at Measuring Stress

A recent study has cast doubt on the ability of smartwatches to accurately measure stress levels. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that the heart rate and heart rate variability data collected by smartwatches did not reliably correlate with participants' self-reported stress levels. The researchers compared the data collected by smartwatches with more traditional stress measurement methods, such as cortisol testing and electrocardiograms (ECGs). They found that the smartwatch data often failed to capture the nuances of stress and could not be used to make accurate predictions about an individual's psychological state. While smartwatches can provide useful information about physical activity and heart health, the study suggests that they may not be as effective at measuring more complex physiological responses, such as stress. The findings highlight the need for further research and the development of more sophisticated wearable technologies to accurately assess stress and other mental health factors.