On assumed usefulness of wearable sensors in early recognition of migraine attacks perceived by patients

Authors

• Hanna-Leena Huttunen M3S, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Oulu
• Pertti Seppänen M3S, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Oulu
• Raija Halonen M3S, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Oulu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.111575

Keywords:

migraine, self-care, sensor networks, digitalisation

Abstract

This study analysed how migraine patients assume to improve their daily life if wearable sensors provide them pre-warnings of approaching or impending migraine attacks. The study analysed the use of new technology in identifying pre-symptoms in migraine patients using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) focusing on the assumed usefulness of a wearable device. The study added understanding of getting migraine patients to accept smart technology to support their own treatments. The results were drawn from a sample of altogether 582 migraine patients with or without an aura. The difference between migraine with aura and without aura is that migraine with aura precedes physical symptoms like visual disturbances, numbness, and difficulty in speech, while there are no pre-symptoms in migraine without aura. The assumed wearable device (WBAN) notifies, however, the bio-signals of an oncoming migraine attack.

Due to current achievements with available digitalised tools to monitor health and wellbeing, also self-care is benefiting. Pre-migraine symptoms are among the biggest challenges in identifying migraine. Noting this, our study addressed the value of wearable sensors in early recognition of migraine attacks.