With the continuous advancement of technology, innovative methods for health monitoring and tracking are emerging. Movano Health's Evie Ring exemplifies this progress with its array of features, including heart rate tracking, step count monitoring, workout analysis, sleep tracking, skin temperature measurement, respiration tracking, and blood oxygen monitoring.1
Recognizing the potential of such technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sought the opportunity to collaborate with Movano Health for their MAESTRO study. This partnership aims to redefine our understanding of long COVID and chronic Lyme disease by harnessing the capabilities of Movano's Evie Ring.2
"We’re excited to incorporate the Evie Ring into our clinical study to evaluate the progression of long COVID and chronic Lyme disease and paint a fuller picture of why some people bounce back from a mild infection while others go on to endure prolonged suffering,” said Dr. Michal Caspi Tal, Associate Scientific Director, the MIT Center for Gynepathology Research and head of the Tal Research Group. “The breadth of longitudinal information related to vital signs and wellness provided by the ring will be instrumental in enhancing our understanding of these debilitating conditions.”2
With an estimated 40 million Americans enduring the incapacitating repercussions of long COVID and over 600,000 new cases of Lyme disease annually, with some progressing to chronic Lyme, the enduring health consequences of these ailments remain elusive. This study carries the potential to reveal crucial insights into their long-term impacts. The study will enlist 300 adults aged 18-35 from four distinct groups: individuals with acute Lyme disease, chronic Lyme disease, long COVID, and a control group.
Main Takeaways
- The collaborative research efforts between MIT and Movano Health signify a concerted endeavor to advance understanding and management strategies for Long COVID and Chronic Lyme Disease.
- Movano Health's Evie Ring technology demonstrates the potential of innovative health monitoring devices in providing comprehensive insights into patients' health conditions through its array of features such as heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, and blood oxygen monitoring.
- The study's focus on Long COVID and Chronic Lyme Disease has the potential to inform personalized patient care and contribute significantly to scientific understanding of these debilitating conditions, impacting long-term patient outcomes.
Challenges of Long Covid
Due to its intricate nature, the challenge of defining, treating, and identifying Long COVID has been a formidable task within the medical community. Notably, it has recently been defined as, an infection-associated chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least three months as a continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive disease state that affects one or more organ systems.3
Patients with long COVID may display a variety of symptoms, notably fatigue, and brain fog, underscoring the significant impact on the body’s energy function and cognitive ability. Additionally, a significant portion, approximately 60% in the initial stages, encounter sleep issues and often report widespread pain, among other symptoms. However, these are generally seen as secondary to the primary concerns of reduced energy and cognitive function.4
“To address Long COVID, collaboration is vital,” according to the CDC. “Community members, organizations, and partners can help communicate; identify gaps in services, supports, and policy; advance the science; disseminate information and resources; and implement and support critical activities.”5
Challenges in Chronic Lyme Disease
In most cases of Lyme disease, a 2-to-4-week regimen of oral antibiotics leads to full recovery. However, 5-10% of patients may experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue, body aches, or cognitive difficulties post-treatment. The cause of these persistent symptoms remains unclear, though similar outcomes have been noted after other infections like COVID-19.
Referred to by the CDC as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), these enduring symptoms are currently of unknown origin. These lingering symptoms significantly impact patients' lives. Understanding their origins and finding effective treatment approaches is crucial. While many patients see improvement over time without additional antibiotics, complete recovery may take months. Studies suggest prolonged antibiotic therapy offers little benefit and can pose serious health risks. Whether fatigue or cognitive challenges, tailored strategies such as the MAESTRO study can help mitigate their impact on daily life.
“This collaboration signals a vote of confidence from one of the world's preeminent research institutions in Movano's ability to provide continuous, reliable, and convenient access to a large data set, ushering in a new era of personalized patient care and scientific discovery,” said John Mastrototaro, CEO of Movano Health. “Our ring solution, designed to meet stringent HIPAA and cybersecurity standards, offers an innovative alternative to existing health monitoring devices – a game-changing solution that is long overdue."2
Moving on encompassing plans for the Evie Ring and Evie Med commercial launches, cost-cutting initiatives, anticipated FDA clearance decisions, future operating results, product development, clinical trials, regulatory initiatives, and strategies for future events or performance.
References
EVIE. The smart ring designed for women's health. https://eviering.com/
