Comparative measurement of heart rate and respiratory rate using a contactless radar system

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Background: Contactless radar technology for determining vital signs can be used in conjunction with drone technology to quickly locate and easily determine the vital signs of casualties in crisis and disaster situations. This experimental study investigated the accuracy and reliability of a contactless Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)-Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar system for measuring heart and respiratory rates, compared with an established contact-based reference system, in a static configuration as a first step toward future drone-based deployment. Methods: Eleven subjects were measured under static conditions in five different body positions, with and without prior physical activity and with and without a military protective vest. Results: The results showed a weak-to-moderate, statistically significant correlation (r =0.245, p <0.001) in heart rate across all conditions and a weak, non-significant correlation in respiratory rate (r =0.169, p =0.063). In particular, wearing a protective vest had a negative influence on the correlation. Conclusions: Despite existing limitations, the radar system investigated here showed clear potential for use in realistic military medical and disaster medical scenarios.