Stress and Recovery in Frontline Healthcare COVID-19 Workers: A Feasibility Study Using Wearable and Smartphone Devices

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented stress on healthcare systems in affected countries, and in particular, on the healthcare workers at the frontline working directly with COVID-19 positive patients. Numerous lines of evidence support the damaging impact of stress on our immune systems which increases susceptibility to infection. Yet, the accurate measurement of immediate stress responses in real time and in naturalistic settings has so far been a challenge, limiting our understanding of how different facets of acute or sustained stress increases susceptibility. This study utilizes wearable technologies including an Oura smart ring as well as semi-continuous passive and active biometric measurements carried out using individuals' own smartphones equipped with applications to track and transmit key data to measure frontline workers stress and recovery during a uniquely stressful and high-risk work environment.