Overview
- Published Dec. 15 in JAMA Network Open, the 16‑week trial enrolled 50 children receiving PCIT and randomized families to use the smartwatch alert system or continue standard care.
- The child‑worn watch captured stress markers such as rising heart rate and movement changes, triggering an AI app to cue parents within about four seconds.
- Severe tantrums averaged about 10 minutes with monitoring versus 22 minutes without, and the odds of an episode lasting 15 minutes or longer were 3.7 times lower in the monitored group.
- Children wore the watch roughly 75% of the time during the study, supporting preliminary feasibility for home use.
- Investigators plan to refine accuracy, test larger and more diverse cohorts, and track long‑term outcomes, while outside experts flag possible risks of over‑intervention and effects on self‑regulation.