[Study Description]

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of smartwatch-based wearable devices and to examine how office environments (both internal and external), spatial configurations, and worker behavioral traits influence mental and physical well-being. Furthermore, the study focuses on identifying potential issues during the research process in advance, thereby enhancing the reliability and validity of the research outcomes.

In particular, this study has clearly defined the key biometric and health-related data items to be collected through the wearable device. These include sleep patterns, stress indicators (such as heart rate variability, HRV), physical activity metrics (including recovery indicators, step count, and heart rate), and health status indicators (such as blood oxygen saturation level, SpO₂). These data will be empirically analyzed to investigate correlations with participants' mental and physical well-being.

The specific objectives of this study are as follows:

1. Analysis of the Characteristics and Research Applicability of Smartwatch-Based Wearable Devices

   • This includes evaluating the types of data that can be collected via the device, the direct and indirect effects on participants, the accessibility of the data collection process by researchers, and the comparative utility of such devices across various research purposes.

2. Assessment of the Impact of Office Environment and Spatial Configuration on Worker Well-Being

   • This involves examining the spatial characteristics of office environments and the areas most frequently used by workers, and analyzing how these factors influence well-being using data obtained through wearable devices.

3. Analysis of Worker Activities and Related Well-Being Factors Inside and Outside the Office

   • This includes monitoring and analyzing worker activities during both working and non-working hours in various office-related spaces, and identifying factors that significantly affect mental and physical well-being.
     

[Confidentiality and Protection of Personal Information]

Depending on the participant, the use of a smartwatch-based wearable device may cause discomfort. In such cases, the participant may notify the research staff at any time. Prior to the commencement of the study, the research personnel will provide a thorough explanation of this and all related procedures.

By participating in this study, the following personal information will be collected from you: gender, age group, occupation, work location, medical conditions, general health status, smoking status, alcohol consumption frequency, and caffeine intake. This information will be used solely for research analysis purposes and will be retained for a period of two years until March 2027. All personal information will be strictly protected in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act and will not be used for any purpose beyond the scope of this research.

All collected data will be stored on an encrypted USB storage device, which will be kept in a locked cabinet. The key to the cabinet will be managed exclusively by the principal investigator, and only the principal investigator will be granted access to the research data.

In addition, the participant list (including personally identifiable information such as names and contact details) and the actual research data (such as health and activity metrics) will be separately encrypted and stored, with no direct link maintained between the two. This ensures that even if the data are accessed by a third party, individual participants cannot be identified or matched to the research content. During the analysis phase, the research team will work solely with anonymized data.

This storage and separation protocol strictly adheres to de-identification principles, effectively preventing any risk of identity exposure or misuse of personal information.

Furthermore, all research staff involved in this study have completed Institutional Review Board (IRB) training on bioethics and personal data protection, and have obtained official certification. This study is conducted under the supervision of Yonsei University, a non-profit institution committed to ethical and public interest-oriented research practices.

All collected personal data will remain strictly confidential and will not be used for any purposes other than those specified in this study.

[Article 2 of the Personal Information Protection Act]
1. ‘Personal information’ refers to information pertaining to a living individual, which can be used to identify that individual directly (such as
name or resident registration number) or indirectly when combined with other data (even if not identifiable by that data alone).

No personal information collected in this study will be disclosed in any academic journals or conference presentations. Identifiable information such as names or contact details will never be used. However, in cases required by law (Article 17 of the Personal Information Protection Act), the information may be provided to relevant authorities. Also, authorized monitoring personnel, auditors, and members of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) may access the research data in accordance with applicable regulations, strictly within the scope necessary to verify the reliability and ethical compliance of the study process and results, without compromising participant confidentiality.

By signing this consent form, you affirm that you have fully understood and voluntarily agreed to all of the above.

Following the completion of the study, all research-related materials (excluding personal data) will be retained for a period of three years. Thereafter, all remaining data will be permanently deleted from research databases. Should you choose to withdraw your participation at any point during the study, all information pertaining to you will be promptly and securely discarded.