FILE: Respiratory Rate · OPENED AUG 1 2026 · REV 1 LIVE FILE

Respiratory Rate Research Desk

The working file on Respiratory Rate. Each claim below is rated on its own evidence.

respiratory rate hub Evidence files: HRV·RHR·Sleep·VO2 Max·Wearable ECG·CGM·Recovery·Activity·Blood Oxygen·Stress·Temperature

Do consumer wearables and contactless sensors measure respiratory rate accurately?

KnowYourPrime evidence rating Uncertain Evidence is conflicting, inconsistent, or difficult to interpret.

Consumer wearable and contactless devices can measure respiratory rate accurately enough to be meaningful for everyday users.

Systematic-review or meta-analytic evidence affirms the core relationship.
Multiple supporting studies are consistent with the core relationship.
An anchor study is present but its own reported finding does not cleanly affirm this claim, so it does not count toward the Established threshold.
A clean anchor supports this claim, but an unresolved conflicting study contradicts it on the core relationship, so the evidence is treated as in genuine dispute.
Some evidence conflicts on secondary points that do not change the core direction.

48 studies scored · 3 anchor · 42 supporting · 3 conflicting · Last reviewed Aug 1, 2026

Studies in Pool48

Claims Rated1

Last PubMed SyncAug 1, 2026

Next Scheduled ReviewAug 8, 2026

3 systematic reviews 37 observational 4 validity studies 4 other

MAINTAINED BY The KnowYourPrime Research Desk · reviewed against new evidence on a rolling basis

Evidence for: Consumer wearable and contactless devices can measure respiratory rate accurately enough to be meaningful for everyday users.

48 scored

Anchor Studies3

Novel wearable and contactless heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation monitoring devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal

Anaesthesia · 2022

PMID

35947876

RCR

3.7

Citations

Study type

Meta-analysis

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

heart ratehumans

Effectiveness of consumer-grade contactless vital signs monitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal

Journal of clinical monitoring and computing · 2022

PMID

34240262

RCR

2.9

Citations

Study type

Meta-analysis

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultheart rate

Clinical validation of a wearable respiratory rate device: A brief report.

Journal

Chronic respiratory disease · 2023

PMID

37612250

RCR

1.4

Citations

Study type

Observational study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansbody mass index

Supporting Studies42

Clinical evaluation of a smart wristband for monitoring oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.

Journal

Journal of clinical monitoring and computing · 2025

PMID

39388061

RCR

4.8

Citations

Study type

Observational study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultaged

Reliable Contactless Monitoring of Heart Rate, Breathing Rate, and Breathing Disturbance During Sleep in Aging: Digital Health Technology Evaluation Study.

Journal

JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024

PMID

39190477

RCR

3.0

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansaged

Reliability of Zephyr BioHarness Respiratory Rate at Rest, During the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test and Recovery.

Journal

Journal of strength and conditioning research · 2020

PMID

30694966

RCR

1.0

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultexercise

Validating a Consumer Smartwatch for Nocturnal Respiratory Rate Measurements in Sleep Monitoring.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026

PMID

37766031

RCR

0.6

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansmale

Agreement between standard and continuous wireless vital sign measurements after major abdominal surgery: a clinical comparison study.

Journal

Physiological measurement · 2022

PMID

36322987

RCR

1.4

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansmonitoring, physiologic

Respiratory rate assessments using a dual-accelerometer device.

Journal

Respiratory physiology & neurobiology · 2014

PMID

24263211

RCR

1.7

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

accelerometryadult

Monitoring respiratory rates with a wearable system using a stretchable strain sensor during moderate exercise.

Journal

Medical & biological engineering & computing · 2020

PMID

31734768

RCR

1.1

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultexercise

Validation of Instantaneous Respiratory Rate Using Reflectance PPG from Different Body Positions.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2019

PMID

30384462

RCR

1.1

Citations

Study type

Validity study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultalgorithms

Morphic Sensors for Respiratory Parameters Estimation: Validation against Overnight Polysomnography.

Journal

Biosensors · 2023

PMID

37504102

RCR

0.5

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

malefemale

Clinical validation of a novel accelerometer-based respiratory rate monitor.

Journal

Journal of clinical monitoring and computing · 2026

PMID

41649789

Citations

Study type

Validity study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansrespiratory rate

Bluetooth low energy thermohygrometric sensor for continuous respiratory rate monitoring: 48 h breathing simulator and human proof-of-concept.

Journal

Biomedical physics & engineering express · 2026

PMID

41880662

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansrespiratory rate

Seconds Matter: Rapid Non-Contact Monitoring of Heart and Respiratory Rate from Face Videos.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026

PMID

41829469

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansheart rate

Feasibility of Monitoring Heart and Respiratory Rates Using Nonwearable Devices and Consistency of the Measured Parameters: Pilot Feasibility Study.

Journal

JMIR human factors · 2024

PMID

39378444

RCR

0.5

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansfeasibility studies

A Guide to Measuring Heart and Respiratory Rates Based on Off-the-Shelf Photoplethysmographic Hardware and Open-Source Software.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024

PMID

38931550

RCR

0.6

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansphotoplethysmography

Evaluation of Photoplethysmography-Based Monitoring of Respiration Rate During High-Intensity Interval Training: Implications for Healthcare Monitoring.

Journal

Biosensors · 2024

PMID

39727896

RCR

0.5

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansphotoplethysmography

Accuracy of the Instantaneous Breathing and Heart Rates Estimated by Smartphone Inertial Units.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025

PMID

40006324

RCR

2.7

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humanssmartphone

Validity of a novel respiratory rate monitor comprising stretchable strain sensors during a 6-min walking test in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

Journal

Respiratory medicine · 2022

PMID

34768076

RCR

0.2

Citations

Study type

Validity study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultaged

Accuracy of Rhythm Diagnostic Systems' MultiSense ® in Detection of Arterial Oxygen Saturation and Respiratory Rate During Hypoxia in Humans: Effects of Skin Color and Device Localization.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025

PMID

39796917

RCR

0.0

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adulthumans

Prospective observational study of 2 wearable strain sensors for measuring the respiratory rate.

Journal

Medicine · 2024

PMID

39029069

RCR

0.0

Citations

Study type

Observational study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansrespiratory rate

Contact-Based Methods for Measuring Respiratory Rate.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2019

PMID

30795595

RCR

11.9

Citations

148

Study type

Review

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

exercisehumans

Breathing Rate Estimation From the Electrocardiogram and Photoplethysmogram: A Review.

Journal

IEEE reviews in biomedical engineering · 2018

PMID

29990026

RCR

10.5

Citations

158

Study type

Review

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

algorithmselectrocardiography

An assessment of algorithms to estimate respiratory rate from the electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram.

Journal

Physiological measurement · 2016

PMID

27027672

RCR

8.9

Citations

150

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adolescentadult

Toward a Robust Estimation of Respiratory Rate From Pulse Oximeters.

Journal

IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering · 2017

PMID

27875128

RCR

7.2

Citations

105

Study type

Validity study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adolescentadult

Photoplethysmographic derivation of respiratory rate: a review of relevant physiology.

Journal

Journal of medical engineering & technology · 2012

PMID

22185462

RCR

5.0

Citations

102

Study type

Review

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansmonitoring, physiologic

Comparison of different modulations of photoplethysmography in extracting respiratory rate: from a physiological perspective.

Journal

Physiological measurement · 2021

PMID

32731213

RCR

2.8

Citations

Study type

Comparative study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

algorithmsarm

Non-Contact Respiratory Monitoring Using an RGB Camera for Real-World Applications.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021

PMID

34372363

RCR

2.7

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansmonitoring, physiologic

An IMU-Based Wearable System for Respiratory Rate Estimation in Static and Dynamic Conditions.

Journal

Cardiovascular engineering and technology · 2023

PMID

36849621

RCR

2.4

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

malehumans

Contactless Camera-Based Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate Monitoring Using AI on Hardware.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023

PMID

37177754

RCR

2.2

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansheart rate

Respiratory Rate Estimation during Walking and Running Using Breathing Sounds Recorded with a Microphone.

Journal

Biosensors · 2023

PMID

37367002

RCR

1.7

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

malefemale

Electrocardiogram Derived Respiratory Rate Using a Wearable Armband.

Journal

IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering · 2021

PMID

32746038

RCR

1.4

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

algorithmselectrocardiography

Comparative evaluation of susceptibility to motion artifact in different wearable systems for monitoring respiratory rate.

Journal

IEEE transactions on information technology in biomedicine : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society · 2010

PMID

20007035

RCR

1.3

Citations

Study type

Comparative study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultartifacts

Estimation of Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate from PPG Signal Using Complementary Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with both Independent Component Analysis and Non-Negative Matrix Factorization.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021

PMID

32517226

RCR

1.3

Citations

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

algorithmsheart rate

A novel computational signal processing framework towards multimodal vital signs extraction using neck-worn wearable devices.

Journal

Scientific reports · 2024

PMID

39333140

RCR

1.3

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humanswearable electronic devices

Finger and forehead PPG signal comparison for respiratory rate estimation.

Journal

Physiological measurement · 2020

PMID

31422948

RCR

1.2

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

adultfemale

Feasibility of Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate Estimation by Inertial Sensors Embedded in a Virtual Reality Headset.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021

PMID

33327531

RCR

0.7

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

ballistocardiographyfeasibility studies

Respiratory modulation of the heart rate: A potential biomarker of cardiorespiratory function in human.

Journal

Computers in biology and medicine · 2024

PMID

38564855

RCR

0.5

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansmale

Respiratory Rate Monitoring via a Fibre Bragg Grating-Embedded Respirator Mask with a Wearable Miniature Interrogator.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024

PMID

39686013

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansrespiratory rate

A systematic review of contactless respiratory rate measurement using RGB cameras.

Journal

Physiological measurement · 2025

PMID

40816317

Citations

Study type

Systematic review

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

respiratory ratehumans

Comparison of Techniques for Respiratory Rate Extraction from Electrocardiogram and Photoplethysmogram.

Journal

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025

PMID

40871998

Citations

Study type

Comparative study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

photoplethysmographyhumans

Continuous respiratory rate monitoring through temporal fusion of ECG and PPG signals.

Journal

PloS one · 2025

PMID

40526643

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansrespiratory rate

Toward accurate estimation of respiratory rate from the photoplethysmogram: effect of different window period of PPG signals.

Journal

Physical and engineering sciences in medicine · 2025

PMID

40586998

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

photoplethysmographyhumans

Accelerometer-based estimation of respiratory rate using principal component analysis and autocorrelation.

Journal

Physiological measurement · 2025

PMID

40054067

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

humansaccelerometry

Conflicting Studies3

Can Caregivers Reliably Assess Their Child's Heart Rate and Respiration Rate Using Smartphone or Smartwatch Applications?

Journal

Pediatric emergency care · 2025

PMID

40341066

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

Bears on

Core claim

humanschild

Comparison of manual and automated respiratory rate measurements on hospital wards: a prospective observational study.

Journal

Journal of clinical monitoring and computing · 2026

PMID

41240250

Citations

Study type

Comparative study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

Bears on

Core claim

humansrespiratory rate

The use of a smart-textile garment during high-intensity functional training: a pilot study.

Journal

The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness · 2019

PMID

30024125

RCR

0.6

Citations

Study type

Primary study

Sample size

[ not stated in the abstract ]

Bears on

Secondary point

adultclothing

01On Our Desk

In Progress

What we're reading right now

A study only enters a claim's evidence once it's read in full and weighed against what's already in file.

Identified

Queued

Under Review

Extracted

Pending Consensus

Nothing on the desk this cycle.

02Research Log

AUG 1 2026

doi:10.1007/s10877-021-00734-9 entered as anchor on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1007/s10877-024-01229-z entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1007/s10877-025-01380-1 entered as conflicting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1007/s10877-026-01419-x entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1007/s11517-019-02062-2 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1007/s13239-023-00657-3 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1007/s13246-025-01582-6 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108335 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1016/j.resp.2013.11.003 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106675 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-72184-7 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/0967-3334/37/4/610 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/1361-6579/ab3be0 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/1361-6579/abaaf0 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/1361-6579/ac9fa3 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/1361-6579/adbe23 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/1361-6579/adfc24 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1088/2057-1976/ae5710 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1097/md.0000000000038818 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1097/pec.0000000000003400 entered as conflicting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1109/rbme.2017.2763681 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1109/tbme.2016.2613124 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1109/tbme.2020.3004730 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1109/titb.2009.2037614 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1111/anae.15834 entered as anchor on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1177/14799731231198865 entered as anchor on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0325307 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000003046 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.2196/53643 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.2196/56547 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.23736/s0022-4707.18.08689-9 entered as conflicting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3109/03091902.2011.638965 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/bios13060637 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/bios13070703 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/bios14120631 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s18113705 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s19040908 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s20113238 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s20247168 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s21155126 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s23094550 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s23187976 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s24123766 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s24237476 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s25010127 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s25041094 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s25165136 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

doi:10.3390/s26051506 entered as supporting on the measurement_validity claim.

AUG 1 2026

doi:10.1007/s10877-025-01380-1 entered as a conflicting study on the measurement_validity claim, bearing on the core claim.

It caps the rating until reconciled.

AUG 1 2026

doi:10.1097/pec.0000000000003400 entered as a conflicting study on the measurement_validity claim, bearing on the core claim.

It caps the rating until reconciled.

AUG 1 2026

doi:10.23736/s0022-4707.18.08689-9 entered as a conflicting study on the measurement_validity claim, flagged as bearing on a secondary point, not the core direction.

Because it does not hit the core claim, it does not cap the rating and is tracked as an open question.

04Revision Log

AUG 1 2026

measurement_validity: opened at Uncertain

Opened at Uncertain by rule from the current evidence for: Consumer-grade wearable or contactless devices measure respiratory rate with accuracy comparable to clinical reference methods..

This page interprets published research. It is not medical advice. The KnowYourPrime Research Desk rates the evidence supporting a claim, not the claim itself. It does not diagnose or treat. Talk to your own doctor about your health.