Sensitivity of Apple Watch fall detection feature among wheelchair usersLibak Abou et al. Assist Technol. 2022. Show AbstractA reliable fall detection device is crucial to minimize long-term consequences of falls among wheelchair users. This study examines the sensitivity of Apple Watch to detect intentional falls from a wheelchair. Twenty-five able bodied (age: 21.9 ± 2.5 years) participated in a protocol in which they intentionally fell out of a wheelchair in a laboratory setting. Each participant wore an Apple Watch Series 5 and performed 3 falls in the forward, right and left sideways, and backward directions onto a crash pad totaling 12 falls each. The Apple Watch was manually checked after each fall to determine if the device registered a fall. From 300 fall trials captured, the Apple Watch detected 14 falls showing a sensitivity of 4.7%, a false negative rate of 95.3%. Logistic regression showed that participant's height, impact force, lower limb functioning, and fall direction are parameters that may influence the ability of the Apple Watch to detect falls from a wheelchair. The Apple Watch fall detection feature presented with a very poor sensitivity to detect intentional falls from a wheelchair among able bodied young adults. Due to the high incidence and consequences of falls, a reliable fall detection device specific for wheelchair users is warranted. Keywords: Apple Watch; falls; sensitivity; technology; wheelchair. Similar articles
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How do you test hard Fall Detection on Apple Watch?Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Go to SOS > Fall Detection, then turn on Fall Detection. You can also open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Emergency SOS, then turn on Fall Detection.
Why didn't my Apple Watch detect my fall?On your Watch go to Settings... scroll to SOS, then tap on Fall detection and see if it is on. If so... turn it Off....then On again.
Can Apple Watch tell when you fall?To turn fall detection on or off, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Then, tap My Watch and Emergency SOS. If you choose on, you can opt for Always on or Only on during workouts. If it detects a fall, it will “tap” the person on the wrist with a buzz, sound an alarm and show an alert.
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