Utilize electrocardiogram data that can be measured every day from wearable devices for health management

We are carrying out various activities to improve employee well-being, such as employee care and strengthening the occupational health system through the “Telework Depression Prevention Team.” Above all, “presentism,” which means working while having some kind of mental or physical symptoms and not being able to demonstrate original performance, is an indicator that should be emphasized in health management, and we are also working to prevent and improve it.
As part of this, we are proceeding with joint research with Keio University starting in 2022 with the aim of visualizing “presentism,” which is difficult even for oneself to notice, and developing algorithms that improve well-being.
Apple Watch capable of measuring electrocardiograms for approximately 700 employees registered with Nissin Foods from 2023/4^*2It was lent, and in addition to electrocardiogram data measured for 30 seconds every morning for 6 months, including holidays, data on number of steps and sleep time were collected. As a result of Keio University's analysis of these data, autonomic nervous activity indices and presentism values are effective in grasping states such as stress and fatigue^*3It has been demonstrated that it is related.
We plan to utilize the results of this research for employee self-conditioning.
*1 Nervous activity that performs internal adjustments to maintain vital activity, such as blood pressure and breathing.
*2 In this study, an Apple Watch Series 8 equipped with an electrocardiogram function was used.
*3 An index representing a decrease in work performance due to health problems. It indicates a state where the lower the value, the lower the ability to perform work.

About joint research with Keio University

purposes

To develop an algorithm that objectively evaluates stress states, exercise intensity, exercise volume, and sleep time by utilizing electrocardiogram data that can be acquired using a wearable device without putting a burden on the body such as blood sampling, and encourages behavioral changes aimed at improving well-being.

Eligibility

Approximately 700 domestic employees registered with Nissin Foods (in addition to Nissin Foods, including employees seconded to Nissin Foods Holdings, Nissin Foods Chilled, Nissin Foods Frozen, etc.)

Analytical methods

In addition to electrocardiogram data measured for 30 seconds every morning with an Apple Watch that can measure an electrocardiogram for 183 days from 2023/4/1 to 9/30, data on number of steps and sleep time are statistically analyzed

issues

Until now, ECG measuring devices such as those used in medical institutions were required to analyze electrocardiogram data, making frequent measurements difficult. However, since heart rate and heart rate variability fluctuate constantly due to many factors such as sleep, diet, stress, and illness, there was an issue that it was difficult to predict depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being with ECG data captured at one point.
Also, it is common to measure employees' “presentism” with questionnaires conducted several times a year, but since it is subjective and the measurement frequency is low, there was an issue where it was difficult to formulate countermeasures based on measurement results.

Overview and Results

Electrocardiogram data every morning, data on number of steps and sleep time were collected with an Apple Watch, and relationships with stress states, autonomic nervous activity, and “presentism” were verified. (Figure 1)
When the state of the day was classified on the 2 axes of “tension” and “activity,” which are autonomic activity indicators effective for grasping states such as stress and fatigue, it was found that when in position C, the presentism value is high, and when in position B, the presentism value is low. Furthermore, by adding data on number of steps and sleep time to this classification, it was demonstrated that the accuracy of the evaluation was further enhanced.

Comment from Keio University Medical School Sports Medicine Center Assistant Professor Yoshinori Katsumata

Research using electrocardiogram data acquired every day over a long period of 6 months for approximately 700 test subjects working for companies is an unprecedented large-scale study. By acquiring electrocardiogram data, which until now was difficult to measure frequently, through an Apple Watch that is always worn, it is now possible to analyze highly accurate electrocardiogram data. Since certain laws have been demonstrated as a result of data analysis, there is an expectation that the development of presentiism prediction algorithms useful for improving well-being, which is attracting more and more attention, can be accelerated.

About Nissin Foods Group's “Health Management”

Based on the spirit of “biken kenshoku (biken kenshoku)” (a beautiful and healthy body starts with a smart diet) advocated by founder Momofuku Ando (Momofuku Ando), the Nissin Foods Group positions all employees to improve their mental and physical health and perform their work to the fullest. The “Nissin Foods Group Health Management Declaration” was formulated in 2018/8, and Hiroki Ando, the president and CEO of Nissin Foods Holdings, became the person in charge and strategically promoted efforts aimed at maintaining and promoting the mental and physical health of employees. We will continue to work to improve the working environment for our employees so that all employees can achieve both improved well-being and high performance at work.