Samsung and Massachusetts General Hospital study Galaxy Watch8 for GLP-1 muscle loss monitoring
Samsung Electronics and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Diabetes Research Center have launched a clinical research study to evaluate whether the Galaxy Watch8 can help adults on GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy monitor and potentially manage muscle loss, an increasingly recognised concern linked to weight-loss medications.
The study comes at a time when GLP-1 drugs are seeing rapid adoption for obesity management and chronic disease treatment. Samsung said nearly one in five adults in the United States reported having taken GLP-1 medication. Researchers are now examining how wearable health technology and continuous biometric monitoring could help preserve muscle mass and support sustainable health habits during treatment.
The collaboration reflects a growing global focus on digital health tools and preventive monitoring during obesity treatment. Muscle loss is considered a significant side effect of GLP-1 therapy because it can increase cardiovascular risk and lower basal metabolic rate, potentially contributing to future weight regain.
Focus on body composition and activity tracking
The study will investigate whether biometric data collected through Samsung Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health can provide clinicians with a more comprehensive picture of treatment impact. Researchers will analyse body composition, physical activity levels and heart rate data generated by the wearable device.
The clinical trial, led by Dr Melissa Putman, Director of the MGH Diabetes Research Center, will enrol 100 adults beginning treatment with GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Participants will be divided into two groups.
One group will use Galaxy Watch8 to:
- Monitor body composition using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
- Track physical activity
- Receive personalised exercise guidance
The second group will receive standard guidance and care typically provided to patients starting GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.
Researchers will use Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans, considered the gold standard for body composition analysis, to measure physiological changes in both groups during the study.
Samsung said the findings could help determine whether insights from Galaxy Watch8 and tailored guidance can support healthier daily routines and improve long-term health outcomes, particularly muscle preservation.
“Many GLP-1 patients struggle with muscle mass loss, a common side effect that can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a drop in basal metabolic rate, which can lead to future weight regain,” Dr Putman said.
Dr Putman added that continuous wearable data could provide clinicians with “a more holistic view of treatment impact” and support more timely, data-driven care decisions.
Wearables and preventive health
The study will also utilise the Galaxy Watch8 BioActive Sensor, which Samsung said enables more accurate health measurements and supports predictive and preventive wellness monitoring.
Samsung and MGH have previously collaborated on digital health research involving Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health, including studies related to Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). According to Samsung, the MGH Diabetes Research Center initiated the current study after identifying the potential of wearable devices in monitoring body composition during obesity treatment.
“This collaboration with MGH focuses on addressing real-world health challenges that patients face during GLP-1RA therapy, specifically managing muscle loss and building healthy habits,” said Jongmin Choi, Head of Health R&D Group at Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience (MX) Business.
The announcement also signals Samsung’s broader push into clinical-grade wearable health monitoring. The company said it is expanding partnerships with medical institutions to strengthen the digital health ecosystem.
Samsung recently collaborated with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in South Korea on research related to early vasovagal syncope detection using Galaxy Watch. The company has also worked with Stanford Medicine on advancing the Galaxy Watch Sleep Apnea feature.
Why the study matters
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medicines used for weight management and diabetes care. While these drugs are associated with significant weight reduction, clinicians are increasingly monitoring the loss of lean muscle mass alongside fat loss.
The Samsung-MGH study aims to evaluate whether wearable-generated health data can improve patient monitoring outside clinical settings and encourage healthier behavioural changes during treatment.
The findings could contribute to the growing use of digital biomarkers and wearable technologies in obesity management, diabetes care and preventive healthcare.
