Remote physiological monitoring of acute cocaine exposure

J Med Eng Technol. 2014 Jul;38(5):244-50. doi: 10.3109/03091902.2014.902513. Epub 2014 May 19.

Abstract

Cocaine exposure results in predictable cardiovascular changes. The current study evaluated the utility of BioHarness for assessing cardiovascular and respiratory changes following cocaine exposure (0 and 40 mg, IV) under controlled laboratory conditions. Participants (n = 28) included non-treatment-seeking, cocaine-dependent volunteers. Results showed that BioHarness was able to detect a significant increase in heart rate following cocaine exposure, in comparison to placebo, (p < 0.0001). Additionally, heart rate values obtained using BioHarness were significantly correlated with those obtained from standard hospital equipment (p < 0.001). Significantly greater peak effects in breathing rate were also observed (p = 0.04). BioHarness is a promising remote physiological monitoring device that can accurately assess exposure to cocaine in the laboratory and may provide additional advantages when compared to standard hospital equipment.

Keywords: BioHarness; cardiovascular; cocaine; remote physiological monitoring; respiration.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation*
  • Respiratory Rate / drug effects*

Substances

  • Cocaine