Wearable Technology Use Amongst College Freshmen

Abstract

The use of wearable technology is rapidly increasing in popularity, specifically amongst college students. The ability of wearable devices to allow students to track physical activity and sleep offers students a means to self-monitor and reflect upon personal daily habits that may impact their overall performance in the classroom. The YouM study is designed to give students individualized real-time feedback on their habits including: daily physical activity, nightly sleep, and daily Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) survey scores through a study specific dashboard. Accurate use of data from this study requires better understanding of device use and compliance across the different study variables - physical activity, sleep, and EMA scores. Purpose: Examine the compliance rate of wearable technology and study app usage among first-year college students over an academic semester. Methods: First-year college students (n = 383) were recruited over 4 academic semesters to investigate the use of digital and mobile technology to assess the effects of physical activity, sleep, and wellness on academic performance. Participants were provided a wearable device (Fitbit Charge 4 or 5) and tasked to wear the device daily and nightly as well as a mobile study app used to complete study surveys, including four weekly Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) surveys over the course of an academic semester. In order to maintain study compliance, subjects were tasked with recording 7 daily steps counts, 7 nightly sleep records, and 4 EMA survey completions (total weekly records = 18). Subjects were monetarily incentivized to complete 75% of all tasks with a randomized monthly lottery. Self-withdrawing participants and participants that utilized a study compatible device were not included in the analysis. Results: Daily physical activity and nightly sleep records were combined with EMA survey completion rates resulting in 341 eligible participants. 84% of all subjects achieved a 75% or greater compliance rate of aggregate device use and survey completion. Subjects were less likely to complete 75% of EMA surveys (78%) compared to wearing their device 75% of the time for daily physical activity (82%) or sleep (82%). 91%, 92%, and 97% of our subjects achieved 50% compliance for EMA surveys, daily physical activity, and sleep respectively. Conclusion: The use of wearable technology and mobile data platforms allows for real-time assessments and feedback of individual daily habits. This study will help inform on study numbers for future use of wearable devices and the use of mobile device applications.