ŌURA Launches Pregnancy Study and New Women’s Health Feature
ŌURA, the maker of the Oura Ring, today revealed a groundbreaking research partnership with the Scripps Research Digital Trials Center. The collaboration will focus on examining biobehavioral changes during pregnancy. This first-of-its-kind study will retrospectively analyze pregnancies from the past three years to explore the physiological changes associated with pregnancy and related complications. The research aims to enhance public understanding and identify potential warning signs for conditions such as postpartum depression, miscarriage risks, and preterm labor.
ŌURA, the maker of the Oura Ring, continues to pioneer advancements in wearable health technology with its groundbreaking collaboration with the Scripps Research Digital Trials Center. The collaboration centers around a first-of-its-kind research initiative aimed at analyzing biobehavioral changes during pregnancy. This significant study will retrospectively examine pregnancies over the last three years, focusing on the physiological changes associated with pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. The goal is to advance public understanding and uncover early warning signs for conditions such as postpartum depression, miscarriage risks, and preterm labor, with the ultimate aim of improving maternal health outcomes.
Alongside this exciting research collaboration, ŌURA has introduced a major update to its Readiness Score. This new update is designed to more accurately reflect the health and well-being of individuals by taking into account the physiological fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle. This algorithmic improvement enables ŌURA’s platform to offer cycling members a more accurate representation of their Readiness Score by recognizing natural hormonal changes as part of the cycle, rather than mistakenly interpreting them as signs of strain or stress. As a result, ŌURA is now better equipped to help women navigate their menstrual cycles and health data with greater confidence and precision.
Shyamal Patel, senior vice president of science at ŌURA, highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “Scientific discovery is a key pillar of our work at ŌURA. It enables us to translate cutting-edge research into meaningful health insights and guidance that benefit both our members and the broader scientific community.
Updating our Readiness Score to consider women’s cycles is the perfect example of this, and our collaboration with Scripps Research Digital Trials Center represents another important step toward fulfilling our mission. This study will significantly contribute to improving maternal health outcomes and deepen our understanding of the short- and long-term impacts of pregnancy on a mother’s health.”
Unlocking New Health Insights
The research partnership between ŌURA and Scripps Research will recruit 10,000 participants through the Oura App who have experienced pregnancy while wearing the Oura Ring. This large-scale effort will allow participants to provide valuable health data via the Oura Ring, complete surveys, and, if they choose, integrate their electronic health records. The study will include all pregnancy outcomes, ensuring comprehensive insights into the diverse experiences and challenges that individuals face during pregnancy. This inclusive approach aligns with Scripps Research Digital Trials Center’s mission to reach underrepresented populations and create clinical trials that are accessible, scalable, and reflective of diverse populations.
Scripps Research is leading the charge in pioneering “site-less” clinical trials, utilizing digital health technologies to extend research reach beyond traditional, location-based trials. This innovative approach aims to include underserved groups that have historically been excluded from clinical studies. The goal is to expand the scope of digital health research and bridge critical gaps in pregnancy health research, particularly for populations underrepresented in previous studies.
Ed Ramos, co-founder of the Scripps Research Digital Trials Center and principal investigator of the study, emphasized the importance of wearable technology in maternal health research. “Wearable technologies have the potential to transform our knowledge of maternal health through continuous, real-world insights into the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. Partnering with ŌURA on this initiative represents a crucial step in expanding the scope of digital health research to bridge critical gaps in pregnancy health research—especially for populations historically underrepresented in clinical studies.”
With the continued evolution of digital health research, ŌURA and Scripps Research aim to harness the power of wearable technology to gain new insights into maternal health and wellness. As the study progresses, both organizations are focused on using these innovations to drive better health outcomes for pregnant individuals, particularly those from underserved communities.
Enhancements to the Oura Ring Readiness Score Algorithm
In addition to the collaboration with Scripps, ŌURA has launched an enhancement to its Readiness Score algorithm that takes menstrual cycle-related hormonal fluctuations into account. This update provides a more accurate reflection of the daily well-being of individuals who menstruate, improving the overall user experience for cycling members. In particular, the new algorithm will help members better understand the physiological changes they experience during their cycles, such as increased heart rate and temperature, as well as decreased heart rate variability during the luteal phase. These fluctuations are typical but can sometimes be misinterpreted as signs of strain, especially for non-cycling individuals.
With this update, 35 percent of cycling members will see no impact on their Readiness Score during their luteal phase. For the remaining members, the update means a significant reduction in the number of days their cycle impacts their score—down by 81 percent. This allows for a more accurate assessment of their health and better guides them toward informed decisions about their well-being.
Holly Shelton, chief product officer at ŌURA, noted, “The menstrual cycle has a profound impact on women’s health and overall well-being, which is why we’re dedicated to ensuring our app features accurately reflect the latest scientific understanding of the physiological changes women experience. By grounding our product in rigorous research, we’re empowering women to confidently navigate their unique cycles with the most accurate and personalized information possible.”
Expanding Women’s Health Research
ŌURA’s work is not limited to its partnership with Scripps Research. The company is also collaborating with Stanford University School of Medicine on an ongoing study to better understand the physiology of menstrual cycles in underrepresented groups. The “Study on Typically Ignored Groups of Menstruating Adults” (STIGMA) research aims to address disparities in reproductive health and provide a more comprehensive understanding of how different groups, such as Black women and breastfeeding mothers, experience and benefit from wearable health technology. This research is a key step in eliminating barriers to the use of menstrual cycle data and improving health outcomes across diverse populations.
Through these initiatives, ŌURA is taking bold steps toward revolutionizing the way we understand and support women’s health, from menstrual cycles to pregnancy, and beyond.
