A smartwatch application designed to measure social interactions among hospitalized stroke survivors may enable new treatments to preserve or enhance cognition, social engagement and quality of life after a stroke, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2026. The research highlights how technology could support strategies focused on strengthening social ties, which may lead to improved physical recovery and quality of life, even among stroke survivors with language difficulties.
Researchers developed a machine learning app called SocialBit, compatible with Android smartwatches, which can identify social interactions in both people with and without neurological conditions. According to the American Stroke Association, the loss or change in speech (dysarthria) and language (aphasia) profoundly alters the social life of stroke survivors. Yet, research has shown that socializing is one of the best ways to maximize recovery after a stroke. Study lead author Amar Dhand, M.D., D.Phil., noted that his previous research demonstrated stroke survivors who are socially isolated have worse physical outcomes at 3 and 6 months after a stroke. The team created a tracker of social life customized for stroke survivors, with the goal of identifying social isolation in real-world situations that could be addressed by notifying patients, family, caregivers, and health professionals.
In the study, 153 adults hospitalized for ischemic stroke wore a smartwatch with the SocialBit app in their rooms between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily for up to 8 days. The app logged socialization time based on acoustic patterns from speech, indicating social engagement. Human observers simultaneously watched livestream video to log minute-by-minute social interactions for comparison. The researchers found SocialBit was 94% as accurate as human observers in recognizing social interactions. In patients with aphasia, accuracy remained at 93%. Performance was consistent despite TV noise, side conversations, different environments, and across various Android smartwatch models. Participants with more severe strokes had less social interaction, with about a 1% drop in total social interaction minutes for each 1-point increase on the NIH Stroke Scale.
"I was surprised by how well the app performed for people with aphasia. We used SocialBit to capture sounds instead of words to protect privacy, and this feature ended up being helpful for people with limited language skills," Dhand said. He added that the SocialBit app may also help people recover from brain injuries by supporting therapies like speech, occupational and exercise therapy. Future research could use SocialBit to measure how many people are at risk for social isolation during and after hospitalization and explore how isolation relates to depression and other mental health changes post-stroke. The app could also be tested for other brain injuries and in healthy aging to maintain and improve brain health over time.
Cheryl Bushnell, M.D., M.H.S., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association Stroke Council and chair of the writing group for the Association’s 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke, commented on the research's potential. "This research is fascinating in its capture of social interactions... There are multiple interesting ways this app could be used in future studies, including measures of quality of hospital care and social interactions at rehab facilities and nursing homes," said Bushnell, who was not involved in the study. According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, stroke is now the #4 leading cause of death in the U.S.
The study's implications extend beyond measurement to potential intervention. By objectively quantifying social engagement, healthcare providers could identify at-risk patients earlier and implement social support strategies. This is particularly significant given research showing social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of death from heart attack and stroke, as highlighted in an American Heart Association Scientific Statement news release from August 2022. The technology represents a step toward equitable access to digital tools for improved cardiovascular and brain health, aligning with broader efforts to harness technology for health advancement. As the research progresses toward peer-reviewed publication, SocialBit offers a promising tool for enhancing recovery pathways for stroke survivors through the power of human connection.
