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Background/Objectives: This study is a pilot evaluation of the applicability of wearable digital healthcare devices for Korean male seafarers. Seafarers are exposed to health risks due to unstable and confined living conditions, and their access to healthcare services becomes significantly challenging, especially with the substantial decrease in physical activity onboard. This study aimed to monitor the physical activity of these seafarers through wearable devices and evaluate the potential of managing their health using these technologies. Methods: During the 12-week study, which included 11 participants, it was confirmed that monitoring physical activity using wearable devices and smartphone applications was effective. Results: Over the 12-week period, the average systolic blood pressure decreased from 137.09 ± 13.05 mmHg to 124.36 ± 5.66 mmHg, and the average diastolic blood pressure decreased from 86.45 ± 10.24 mmHg to 77.45 ± 5.26 mmHg, showing a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.011). Additionally, participants experienced an average weight reduction of 1.19 kg. Satisfaction with the use of wearable devices was reported to be moderate. Conclusions: Such digital healthcare can encourage the maintenance of healthy habits by continuously monitoring physical activity and providing feedback. Considering the difficulties seafarers face in accessing medical services, the adoption of digital healthcare through wearable devices is essential, contributing to the prevention of chronic diseases and overall health improvement of seafarers. Future research should explore the long-term benefits and potential challenges of these digital healthcare solutions on a larger scale.
Details
; Park, Jong-Hwan 2
; Min-Woo, Jang 3 ; Min-Ji, Sung 1 ; Song, Seung-Hwan 4
; Huh Up 4
; Young-Jin, Ra 5 ; Young-Jin, Tak 6 1 Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea; [email protected] (D.-R.K.); [email protected] (M.-W.J.); [email protected] (M.-J.S.); [email protected] (S.-H.S.); [email protected] (U.H.); [email protected] (Y.-J.R.)
2 Department of Convergence Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea; [email protected], Department of Clinical Bio-Convergence, Graduate School of Convergence in Biomedical Science, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea, Convergence Medical Institute of Technology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
3 Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea; [email protected] (D.-R.K.); [email protected] (M.-W.J.); [email protected] (M.-J.S.); [email protected] (S.-H.S.); [email protected] (U.H.); [email protected] (Y.-J.R.), Department of Convergence Medical Science, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
4 Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea; [email protected] (D.-R.K.); [email protected] (M.-W.J.); [email protected] (M.-J.S.); [email protected] (S.-H.S.); [email protected] (U.H.); [email protected] (Y.-J.R.), Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
5 Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea; [email protected] (D.-R.K.); [email protected] (M.-W.J.); [email protected] (M.-J.S.); [email protected] (S.-H.S.); [email protected] (U.H.); [email protected] (Y.-J.R.), Department of Family Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
6 Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea; [email protected] (D.-R.K.); [email protected] (M.-W.J.); [email protected] (M.-J.S.); [email protected] (S.-H.S.); [email protected] (U.H.); [email protected] (Y.-J.R.), Department of Family Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea, Department of Family Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea