Researchers have developed a smartphone app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to potentially detect symptoms of stroke. The app, called FAST AI, accurately evaluates facial asymmetry, arm weakness, and speech changes that are associated with stroke onset. The goal of the app is to improve stroke recognition and ensure that patients receive timely treatment.
Stroke is a highly treatable condition if caught early, but many patients do not arrive at the hospital in time to receive life-saving treatments due to a lack of awareness. To address this issue, the researchers created the FAST AI app, taking into consideration the fact that 81.6% of Americans own smartphones and spend a significant amount of time using them daily.
The app uses video analysis to detect facial asymmetry and changes in facial movement, accelerometer and gyroscope analysis to assess arm strength, and audio recording analysis to identify patterns of sound variability. In a clinical validation trial conducted at five hospitals in Bulgaria, the app was tested on 400 adult patients with confirmed stroke, Bell’s palsy, and healthy controls.
The findings of the trial showed that the FAST AI app was able to detect true stroke symptoms with a sensitivity of 0.99 and a specificity of 0.9. Additionally, the app demonstrated the ability to differentiate between stroke and Bell’s palsy, detecting the latter with a sensitivity of 0.78 and a specificity of 0.7.
Radoslav I. Raychev Jr., MD, a neurologist involved in the research, highlighted the potential applications of the technology. He suggested that the app could be used in clinician-aid settings, emergency medical services, telemedicine, and even in ambient monitoring settings such as internet-connected smart homes and autonomous driving vehicles. Imagine being in an autonomous car that detects your stroke and takes you to the nearest stroke center without delay.
The development of the FAST AI app represents a significant breakthrough in stroke detection and has the potential to save lives by ensuring timely treatment. By harnessing the power of AI and leveraging smartphone technology, the app provides a convenient and accessible tool for identifying stroke symptoms accurately. With further advancements and integration into various healthcare settings, this technology has the potential to revolutionize stroke recognition and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
In conclusion, the smartphone app powered by AI technology has shown remarkable accuracy in detecting stroke symptoms. Its ability to differentiate between stroke and other conditions like Bell’s palsy has highlighted its potential as a valuable tool in stroke recognition. The future applications of this technology include its use in various healthcare settings and even in everyday scenarios like autonomous driving. With its potential to save lives and improve patient outcomes, the FAST AI app represents a significant advancement in stroke detection and treatment.
