Mood bracelets, also known as emotion or stress tracking bracelets, have become increasingly popular over the last few years. These wearable devices claim to monitor changes in the wearer’s emotional state by tracking biometrics like skin temperature, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity. But how accurate are mood bracelets at actually detecting emotions? Let’s take a closer look at what the research says.
What are mood bracelets?
Mood bracelets, such as Feel, Moodmetric, and Pip, are wearable devices that resemble a fitness tracker. They contain sensors that are worn against the skin to monitor various physiological signals. The biometrics measured by mood bracelets may include:
| Skin temperature | Skin conductance (sweatiness) |
| Heart rate | Heart rate variability |
| Blood volume pulse | Electrodermal activity |
These metrics are then analyzed by proprietary algorithms to deduce the wearer’s emotional state, such as relaxed, stressed, excited, focused, or tired. The current mood is displayed on the bracelet or smartphone app and tracked over time. Some mood bracelets also offer guided breathing exercises and other stress management features.
How do they work?
Mood bracelets rely on the idea that our emotions trigger measurable physiological responses. For example, when we experience stress or anxiety, our sympathetic nervous system activates, which increases heart rate, sweat gland activity, and blood flow to muscles. Happy and positive emotions, on the other hand, are associated with increased heart rate variability and skin temperature.
By monitoring physiological signals from the autonomic nervous system, mood bracelets aim to detect changes in emotional state. However, accurately identifying emotions from biometrics alone is quite complex. The relationship between physiology and emotion is not always consistent and can be influenced by many factors. As such, the algorithms used by mood bracelet companies tend to be proprietary black boxes.
Research on accuracy
Given the proprietary nature of their algorithms, there is limited peer-reviewed research on the accuracy of commercial mood bracelets. However, a few independent studies have attempted to validate them:
University of Michigan study (2018)
– Tested 5 wearable devices including Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Polar, and BioForce
– Measured heart rate variability, skin conductance, skin temperature
– Compared readings during lab-induced stress and relaxation
– Found only modest correlations between biometrics and emotional states
– Concluded wearables have “low accuracy for monitoring and detecting changes in emotional states”
University of Maryland study (2020)
– Tested Emotion Sense wearable prototype and Feel mood bracelet
– Measured heart rate, skin conductance, skin temperature
– Used experience sampling method to correlate with self-reported emotions
– Feel had 48% accuracy in detecting emotions like excitement and stress
– But researchers noted results may not generalize outside lab
University of Durham study (2021)
– Tested Mindstrong and Pip mood bracelets
– Measured heart rate, electrodermal activity, skin temperature
– Compared readings during stressful math test and relaxation
– Found bracelets could distinguish between relaxation and acute stress
– But not accurate enough for clinical use in diagnosing mood disorders
Based on this preliminary research, it seems current mood bracelets can detect general shifts between high arousal states like acute stress or excitement and low arousal states like relaxation. However, their accuracy is limited for nuanced emotional states or clinical applications. The results do not seem to justify some marketing claims about precisely tracking emotions. More transparency around algorithms and robust validation studies are needed.
Pros and cons
Here are some potential upsides and downsides to consider regarding mood bracelets:
| Pros | Cons |
| – May increase emotional self-awareness | – Limited accuracy based on current research |
| – Track patterns and triggers | – Can’t capture context behind emotions |
| – Portable and easy to wear | – Expensive compared to other wearables |
| – Provide relaxation tools | – Privacy concerns around data |
| – Motivate healthy habits | – Potentially reinforce emotional overthinking |
For some individuals, having a rough indicator of emotional arousal patterns can be useful biofeedback. However, expectations should be calibrated – mood bracelets do not read minds. Supplementing them with journaling may provide more insight into emotion triggers. Those with clinical conditions like anxiety or depression should consult a mental health professional, not rely solely on a wearable device.
Considerations for consumers
If you’re considering purchasing a mood bracelet, keep the following advice in mind:
– Look for published, peer-reviewed evidence backing up accuracy claims
– Make sure the privacy policy is clear on data usage
– Try one out before committing through a free trial or return policy
– View readings as rough approximations not definitive emotions
– Use bracelet as a starting point for self-reflection, not an end point
– Combine with other wellness practices like therapy, meditation, exercise
– See your doctor if you have concerns about a mental health condition
The future of mood tracking tech
While mood bracelets currently have limitations, the future possibilities of emotion detection technologies are intriguing. Some emerging areas researchers are exploring include:
– Combining biometrics from wearables with analysis of facial expressions, voice tone, and word use for more nuanced emotion recognition.
– Using machine learning on smartphone usage data to predict mood based on activity patterns.
– Integrating mood tracking with virtual reality to monitor emotional reactions to simulated scenarios.
– Developing implantable sensors that can detect neurotransmitter release in the brain associated with emotions.
However, significant ethical considerations around privacy, emotional manipulation, and mental health ramifications will need to be addressed before such technologies become widespread. Overall, mood tracking is still in its early stages and further innovation paired with rigorous testing will determine whether these devices can accurately monitor our emotional inner worlds.
Conclusion
Current research indicates mood bracelets can modestly detect general states of high or low stress and arousal, but they are far from reading emotions with precision. Expect some insights from consistent use, but do not rely on them for definitive emotional diagnoses. While the technology is still developing, combining wearable data with conscious journaling practices may provide a more holistic picture of your emotional patterns and triggers. Mood bracelets show potential, but a bit more skepticism is warranted given their limitations.
