WebPPG: Feasibility and Usability of Self-Performed, Browser-Based Smartphone Photoplethysmography
Nissen M, Flaucher M, Jäger K, Hübner H, Danzberger N, Titzmann A, Pontones C, Fasching P, Eskofier B, Leutheuser H (2023)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Conference contribution
Publication year: 2023
Journal
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Series: Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS)
Conference Proceedings Title: 2023 45th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC)
Event location: Sydney, NSW
ISBN: 9798350324471
DOI: 10.1109/EMBC40787.2023.10340204
Abstract
Smartphones enable and facilitate biomedical studies as they allow the recording of various biomedical signals, including photoplethysmograms (PPG). However, user engagement rates in mobile health studies are reduced when an application (app) needs to be installed. This could be alleviated by using installation-free web apps. We evaluate the feasibility of browser-based PPG recording, conducting the first usability study on smartphone-based PPG. We present an at-home study using a web app and library for PPG recording using the rear camera and flash. The underlying library is freely made available to researchers. 25 Android users participated, using their own smartphones. The study consisted of a demographic and anamnestic questionnaire, the signal recording itself (60 s), and a consecutive usability questionnaire. After filtering, heart rate was extracted (14/17 successful), signal-to-noise ratios assessed (0.64 ± 0.50 dB, mean ± standard deviation), and quality was visually inspected (12/17 usable for diagnosis). Recording was not supported in 9 cases. This was due to the browser's insufficient support for the flash light API. The app received a System Usability Scale score of 82 ± 9, which is above the 90th percentile. Overall, browser flash light support is the main limiting factor for broad device support. Thus, browser-based PPG is not yet widely applicable, although most participants feel comfortable with the recording itself. The utilization of the user-facing camera might represent a more promising approach. This study contributes to the development of low-barrier, user-friendly, installation-free smartphone signal acquisition. This enables profound, comprehensive data collection for research and clinical practice.Clinical relevance - WebPPG offers low-barrier remote diagnostic capabilities without the need for app installation
Authors with CRIS profile
Michael Nissen
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Madeleine Flaucher
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Katharina Jäger
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Hanna Hübner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Adriana Titzmann
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Constanza Pontones
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Peter Fasching
Professur für Translationale Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe
Björn Eskofier
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Heike Leutheuser
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Related research project(s)
How to cite
APA:
Nissen, M., Flaucher, M., Jäger, K., Hübner, H., Danzberger, N., Titzmann, A.,... Leutheuser, H. (2023). WebPPG: Feasibility and Usability of Self-Performed, Browser-Based Smartphone Photoplethysmography. In 2023 45th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC). Sydney, NSW, AU: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
MLA:
Nissen, Michael, et al. "WebPPG: Feasibility and Usability of Self-Performed, Browser-Based Smartphone Photoplethysmography." Proceedings of the 45th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference, EMBC 2023, Sydney, NSW Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2023.
BibTeX: Download