Machine learning algorithm could stop hot flashes in menopausal women
USA: Researchers from the Embr Labs (a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a machine learning algorithm to predict a hot flash.
Vasomotor symptoms are the sudden increase in body temperature that affects about 75% of menopausal women. It has drawn interest following the approval of a new oral drug and research linking hot flashes to heart disease, Alzheimer's, and stroke.
The researchers combined the algorithm with a product called Embr Wave, a watch-like wearable that can emit coolness to the sensitive skin on the inside of the wrist, providing whole-body relief. The device sells for $299 and is already touted as a way to manage menopausal hot flashes.
According to the team of developers, once the algorithm is added, the device can continuously monitor physiological signals -- body temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, activity level, sweating -- and identify early indicators that a hot flash is building.
They further added that "these data would be sent to a computing platform in the cloud, where the algorithm can flag signs of an impending hot flash."
"The device would automatically prompt cooling in less than a second, which could effectively stop the hot flash in its tracks or at least help to take the edge off."
Hormone therapy is the primary treatment that eases hot flashes in 3 to 4 weeks. But some women avoid taking estrogen, or cannot take it due to medical contraindications.
The therapy is generally not recommended for patients with a history of breast cancer, diseases of the heart or blood vessels, or blood clots. Recent research presented at the annual meeting of the Menopause Society found that hormone therapy may not work as well in women with obesity.
The FDA cleared the oral med fezolinetant (Veozah) in May for nonhormonal treatments. In those who can't take estrogen, antidepressant medications can also be used as a first-line treatment. Another oral drug, elinzanetant, is in late-stage clinical trials.
However, there has been little clinical investigation, with only two small studies, examining cooling therapy as a hot flashes treatment. That's something the makers of this device hope to change.
According to Matthew Smith, PhD, chief technology officer at Embr Labs, "Even though seeking cooling relief is a woman's immediate natural response to the onset of a hot flash, not much work has been done to understand the benefits of this natural therapy."
"This is in part because the technology didn't exist to deliver cooling in an immediate, reproducible manner."
The performance of the algorithm has been benchmarked using data from women having hot flashes and results have been submitted for publication.
The Embr Wave has been shown to improve sleep in menopausal women with hot flashes. It has also been tested as a therapy for hot flashes related to cancer treatment.
For true evaluation of the device as a hot flash treatment, there is a need to test it in randomized trials including a "sham treatment arm" – where some people get the real treatment while others get the sham treatment.
According to Karen Adams, MD, OB/GYN; director, Menopause and Healthy Aging Program, Stanford University. "device studies tend to have high placebo response rates that can only be truly evaluated when there is a sham treatment in the study."
."If such a device were shown to be effective and safe, we would recommend it. But we're a long way from that."
Next Story