[Survey] 92.3% of At-Home ECG Test Participants Report "Increased Health Awareness"

Medical technology venture CocoroMil Inc. has released the results of a survey conducted at its "Home Heart Dock pro" long-term ECG test experience booth at AEON Mall Hamamatsu Ichino.

The results showed that 92.3% of the 13 participants reported "increased health awareness." Furthermore, 92.3% said they "would want to visit a hospital" if an abnormality were found. In addition, 76.9% answered that the "at-home test was easier" than conventional ECG tests at hospitals.

These findings suggest that experiences in commercial facilities can raise awareness of heart risks and increase the intention to seek medical care. It also indicates that at-home testing may be accepted as a new option for preventive care that reduces the burden of hospital visits.

Detailed Survey Results

- **Increased Health Awareness**: 92.3% (12 out of 13) of participants reported that the test raised their health awareness. The breakdown was 3 for "greatly increased" and 9 for "somewhat increased," providing a powerful trigger to re-evaluate often-overlooked heart risks.

- **Encouraging Definitive Medical Consultation**: When asked if they would visit a medical institution if a detailed examination were required, 92.3% (12 participants) answered "definitely would" or "probably would." This strongly suggests the project's goal of creating a seamless link from screening to local hospitals is functional.

- **Convenience of At-Home Testing**: Compared to hospital tests, 76.9% (10 participants) found the at-home test "easier." Furthermore, 84.6% (11 participants) found the device easy to attach, proving the high acceptability of the service.

- **Intention for Continued Use**: 92.3% (12 participants) gave positive responses, stating they would "definitely want to use it" or "would use it if the opportunity arises" periodically in the future.

User Feedback and Challenges

While there was positive feedback, such as "It's great that I can attach it myself and not have the embarrassment of exposing my chest at a hospital," there were also requests for improvements regarding price, usability, and the device itself.

- **Price**: Many participants voiced concerns like, "It's too expensive if I have to pay the full price. It would become popular if subsidies brought the cost down to around ¥5,000," and "I wish it were covered by insurance." Approximately 69.2% of participants wished for the cost to be "within ¥5,000." This revealed that a mechanism to lower the financial barrier is essential for widespread adoption.

- **UI/UX**: Feedback such as "The smartphone app's operation and connection status are hard to understand" and "The electrode adhesion is weak" indicated a need for further updates to the device and app's UI/UX.

Future Development

Leveraging the evidence that this pilot leads to definitive medical consultation and behavioral change, CocoroMil will promote collaboration with government health investments, corporate wellness programs, and health insurance societies. The company aims to expand this "preventive medicine infrastructure from Hamamatsu" to extend healthy lifespans while reducing costs for citizens.

Survey Overview - **Event Name**: Wellness Up! Kenko Festival 2025 - **Implementing Municipality**: Hamamatsu City - **Exhibiting Company**: CocoroMil Inc. - **Location**: AEON Mall Hamamatsu Ichino - **Dates**: October 4 (Sat) & 5 (Sun), 2025 - **Survey Target**: Participants of the experience booth (13 respondents)

About Home Heart Dock pro

"Home Heart Dock pro" is a long-term ECG test service performed at home. A small ECG monitor is attached to the chest to acquire data for over 9 hours, which is then analyzed by a clinical laboratory technician. It aims to discover hidden risks of heart disease, Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS), and signs of stress that are often missed in brief conventional checkups. An online clinic is also available for physician consultations and referrals to university hospitals.