Validation of WeBe Band During Physical Activities

Data reliability and algorithm robustness are both important for wearable devices. To validate the accuracy of a recently published research vehicle, WeBe band, we conducted a concurrent heart rate (HR) and galvanic skin response (GSR) validity study. WeBe band, Empatica E4 and MindWare, which is currently considered the gold standard for collecting these measures, are compared concurrently. Fifty healthy adult partic-ipants volunteered (female n=29, 49 in 18–25 age range, 1 in 26–30 age range; [mean (SD)]: height = 167.6 (8.9) cm, mass = 150.1 (33.1) lbs). Participants wore the WeBe band and the Empatica band on opposite wrists (alternating device placement between participants) and the MindWare electrodes were placed on the on chest, back, and palms. Each participant completed a study session (a total 51 minutes) that included sitting, standing, normal paced walking and faster paced walking. Data was processed and validity was measured though: mean absolute percent error (MAPE), Bland-Altman limits of aggreement (LOA) and concordance coefficient (r<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">c</inf>). Results showed that WeBe band is valid under all conditions.