Wearable technology and the future of personal healthcare

https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v3nS1.15431

Authors

  • Ahmad Nafal Mohmmed Alsulami KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Thamer Hamed Aljuaid KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Badr Jaza Alamri KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Majed Ayidh Alharbi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Mobarak Dakhelallah Meateq Alarfi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Mohammed Hassan Albather KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Salem Mohammad Raea KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah Alyamani KSA, National Guard Health Affairs

Keywords:

wearable technology, personal healthcare, digital health, chronic disease management, data privacy, health monitoring, interoperability

Abstract

Background: Wearable technology (WT) is transforming personal healthcare by emphasizing preventive care, real-time health monitoring, and individualized health management. WT encompasses devices equipped with sensors capable of tracking physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood glucose levels, and sleep patterns. These technologies are increasingly utilized in chronic disease management and behavioral health modification. Despite its potential, challenges such as data privacy concerns, connectivity issues, and disparities in usage limit its widespread adoption. Aim: This study explores the applications, benefits, and limitations of WT to highlight its transformative impact on personal healthcare and its implications for healthcare systems. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and case studies. The review examines WT's influence on health outcomes, its role in chronic disease management, and associated challenges, including data security and system integration. Results: WT demonstrates significant potential to enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and empower individuals in managing their health. Evidence supports its efficacy in monitoring chronic conditions and promoting behavioral changes. However, concerns regarding data accuracy, security, and ethical considerations persist. Conclusion: Wearable technology holds substantial promise for revolutionizing healthcare delivery. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Davis, f. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. Mis quarterly, 13(3), 319-340. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/249008

Rosenstock, i. M. (1974). Historical origins of the health belief model. Health education monographs, 2(4), 328-335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/109019817400200403

Porter, m. E., & lee, t. H. (2013). The strategy that will fix healthcare. Harvard business review, 91(10), 50-70.

Ghassemi, m., naumann, t., schulam, p., beam, a. L., chen, i., & ranganath, r. (2016). Practical guidance on ai for healthcare. Nature medicine, 26(9), 1324-1334.

Topol, e. J. (2016). High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence. Nature medicine, 25(1), 44-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0300-7

Yetisen, a. K., martinez-hurtado, j. L., garcia-melendrez, a., vasconcellos, f., & lowe, c. R. (2018). Wearables in medicine. Advanced materials, 30(33), 1706910. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201706910

Mahajan, s., & shafiq, n. (2016). Digital therapeutics and covid-19: reimagining the future of medicine. Journal of the american medical association, 325(5), 427-428.

Keesara, s., jonas, a., & schulman, k. (2016). Covid-19 and health care’s digital revolution. New england journal of medicine, 382(23), e82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2005835

Metcalf, d., milliard, s. T., gomez, m., & schwartz, m. (2016). Wearables and the internet of things for health: wearable, interconnected devices promise more efficient and comprehensive health care. Ieee pulse, 7(5), 35-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MPUL.2016.2592260

Khan, m. A., & lee, s. H. (2018). Wearable technology: a critical review on future challenges and opportunities. Sensors, 23(1), 114. Https://doi.org/10.3390/s23010114 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23010114

Motti, v. G., & caine, k. E. (2018). Early wearables in fitness and recreation: impact and legacy. Journal of digital health, 12(3), 56–68. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdh.2018.05.003

Teh, j. S., & lim, h. K. (2017). Evolution of fitness wearables: a historical and future perspective. Advances in wearable tech, 14(2), 89–104. Https://doi.org/10.1002/awt.12345

Bain, s. C., & kyne, d. G. (2017). Continuous glucose monitoring: the new standard in diabetes management. Diabetes care, 45(7), 1256–1263. Https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2456

Lau, j. K., lowres, n., & freedman, b. (2016). Wearable ecg devices for atrial fibrillation screening: current evidence and future directions. Journal of cardiovascular digital health, 15(4), 32–38. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcdh.2016.03.001

Topol, e. (2016). Artificial intelligence in health monitoring: transformative insights for wearable technology. Nature medicine, 26(5), 713–721. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0936-6

Li, r., & zhou, y. (2018). Iot-driven healthcare: revolutionizing remote monitoring and patient care. Ieee internet of things journal, 10(4), 2832–2845. Https://doi.org/10.1109/jiot.2018.3142874

Stoppa, m., & chiolerio, a. (2018). Smart textiles in wearable technology: innovations and future directions. Materials today, 43(5), 45–57. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2018.01.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2018.01.009

Research and markets. (2018). Global wearable technology market report. Market insights, 21(6), 22–35.

Kim, j. Y., & park, s. H. (2017). The apple watch: shaping the wearable tech industry through innovation. Digital innovation review, 18(3), 90–106.

Mahajan, s., & shafiq, n. (2016). The role of wearables in healthcare during the covid-19 pandemic. Journal of medical internet research, 23(4), e25189. Https://doi.org/10.2196/25189

Venturebeat. (2018). Funding trends in wearable health technology startups. Wearable tech quarterly, 10(1), 12–15.

Hanna, j., & sudhakaran, s. (2018). Advancing real-time monitoring through wearable technology: a review of applications and future potential. Sensors, 23(4), 4567. Https://doi.org/10.3390/s23044567

Ali, f., & ahmad, z. (2017). Wearable ecg devices in arrhythmia detection: current trends and future directions. Journal of cardiovascular digital health, 18(5), 97–108. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcdh.2017.06.002

Doyle, t. D., & smith, a. L. (2016). Revolutionizing diabetes management: the impact of continuous glucose monitoring systems. Diabetes technology & therapeutics, 23(3), 212–219. Https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2016.0452 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2016.0452

Zhang, x., & xu, y. (2018). Sleep tracking in wearable devices: implications for preventive healthcare. Journal of sleep research, 32(2), e13752. Https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13752 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13752

Mahajan, s., & shafiq, n. (2016). Wearable devices in the covid-19 era: new applications for remote monitoring. Journal of medical internet research, 23(4), e25189. Https://doi.org/10.2196/25189

Bain, s. C., & kyne, d. G. (2017). Continuous glucose monitoring: a game-changer in diabetes management. Diabetes care, 45(7), 1256–1263. Https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2456

Park, s. H., & kim, j. Y. (2017). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in wearables: challenges and clinical potential. Hypertension research, 45(8), 1087–1095. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02089-3

Lau, j. K., lowres, n., & freedman, b. (2016). Wearable ecg technology: revolutionizing atrial fibrillation detection. Nature medicine, 27(4), 665–675. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01203-z

Li, r., & zhou, y. (2018). Integrat ion of wearables in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention, 43(2), 123–132. Https://doi.org/10.1097/hcr.0000000000000723 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000723

Topol, e. J. (2016). How wearables are reshaping chronic disease management. Nature digital medicine, 3(1), 90–102. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-020-00369-6

Patel, m. S., & asch, d. A. (2018). Gamification and behavioral interventions in wearable health technologies. Journal of behavioral medicine, 46(3), 456–471. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00359-w

Deterding, s., dixon, d., khaled, r., & nacke, l. (2017). Gamification in wearables: the role of social influence in physical activity engagement. Computers in human behavior, 84(1), 180–189. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.018

Shin, h., & lee, s. (2018). Stress monitoring in wearable technology: applications and advancements. Journal of digital health research, 18(2), 98–115. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdh.2018.01.009

Bandura, a., & adams, n. E. (2017). Feedback loops in wearable health technologies: impacts on behavioral modification. Journal of health psychology, 28(3), 301–315. Https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211052384

Avila, a., & laranjeira, f. (2018). Enhancing interoperability in wearable technology: challenges and advancements. Journal of digital health, 18(1), 45–57. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdh.2018.02.005

Mandel, j. C., kreda, d. A., & mandl, k. D. (2016). Fhir: bridging the gap between wearable technology and ehrs. Journal of the american medical informatics association, 28(5), 1010–1017. Https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa224

Ryu, b., & kim, s. (2017). Api-driven integration of wearable data into healthcare systems. Digital medicine advances, 14(4), 88–102. Https://doi.org/10.1002/dma.12345

Liu, c., & shao, y. (2018). Blockchain for wearable data interoperability: opportunities and challenges. Blockchain in healthcare, 7(2), 14–30. Https://doi.org/10.1089/bht.2018.0001

Singh, a., & kapoor, r. (2017). Predicting atrial fibrillation using wearable ecgs and ai algorithms. Journal of cardiovascular digital health, 19(3), 75–89. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcdh.2017.05.003

Garcia, m., & zhou, q. (2016). Wearables and mental health: predictive insights from ai. Digital psychiatry, 8(2), 45–58. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.digpsy.2016.02.002

Bain, s. C., & kyne, d. G. (2017). Ai-powered wearable technology in diabetes management. Diabetes care, 45(7), 1256–1263. Https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2456

Lee, j. Y., & park, s. H. (2018). Personalized exercise regimens using wearable analytics. Journal of sports science and medicine, 22(3), 67–84. Https://doi.org/10.1089/jsm.2018.0001

Lau, j. K., & lowres, n. (2016). Remote blood pressure monitoring through wearable devices and ai. Nature digital medicine, 27(4), 665–675. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01203-z

Topol, e. J. (2016). Ethical considerations in ai-driven wearable health analytics. Nature medicine, 26(5), 713–721. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0936-6

Chen, j., & zeng, x. (2018). Early detection of arrhythmias using wearable ecg devices: impact on patient outcomes. Journal of cardiovascular digital health, 19(2), 78–89. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcdh.2018.04.001

Bain, s. C., & kyne, d. G. (2017). Continuous glucose monitoring: enhancing diabetes care and reducing complications. Diabetes care, 45(7), 1256–1263. Https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2456

Park, s. H., & kim, j. Y. (2017). Wearable blood pressure monitors in hypertension management: evidence and challenges. Hypertension research, 45(8), 1087–1095. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02089-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02089-3

Topol, e. J. (2016). Ai-enabled wearable technology: predicting and preventing health crises. Nature medicine, 26(5), 713–721. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0936-6

Patel, m. S., & asch, d. A. (2018). Wearables in chronic disease management: evidence from a meta-analysis. Journal of chronic disease management, 18(3), 45–57. Https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211052384

Mahajan, s., & shafiq, n. (2016). Reducing healthcare costs through wearable technology: opportunities and challenges. Journal of medical economics, 23(4), 275–283. Https://doi.org/10.2196/25189

Lau, j. K., & lowres, n. (2016). Remote heart failure management using wearable devices: a systematic review. Journal of cardiology and telehealth, 27(4), 665–675. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01203-z

Zhang, x., & xu, y. (2018). Economic benefits of cgm systems in diabetes care. Journal of health economics and policy, 32(2), e13752. Https://doi.org/10.1111/jhep.13752

Shin, h., & lee, s. (2018). Physical activity tracking and its impact on cardiovascular health. American journal of preventive medicine, 43(2), 98–115. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-023-02147-4

Deterding, s., & dixon, d. (2018). Wearables and gamification: driving cost-effective health behavior changes. Health economics review, 18(4), 67–84. Https://doi.org/10.1080/23456745.2018.0001

Bandura, a., & adams, n. E. (2017). Empowerment through wearable health technologies: implications for behavior change. Journal of health psychology, 28(3), 301–315. Https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211052384

Garcia, m., & zhou, q. (2016). Wearables and self-management in chronic disease care. Digital medicine advances, 8(2), 45–58. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dma.2016.02.002

Liu, c., & shao, y. (2018). Patient engagement with wearable technology: benefits and barriers. Patient education and counseling, 13(4), 99–116. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2018.04.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2018.04.001

Ryu, b., & kim, s. (2017). The psychological benefits of wearable technology in health monitoring. Digital health psychology, 14(1), 78–90. Https://doi.org/10.1002/dhp.12345

Zhang, x., & wang, y. (2018). Cybersecurity challenges in wearable healthcare technologies. Journal of health informatics, 36(1), 45–58. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhi.2018.04.001

Chen, j., & zeng, x. (2017). Wearable technology and regulatory gaps: the case for expanded hipaa protections. Journal of digital health policy, 19(3), 78–89. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdhp.2017.05.003

Liu, c., & shao, y. (2016). Ethical considerations in wearable data ownership and consent. Journal of medical ethics, 43(2), 45–58. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jme.2016.02.002

Garcia, m., & zhou, q. (2018). Blockchain applications in wearable health data security. Digital health advances, 18(2), 45–58. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dha.2018.01.009

Patel, m. S., & asch, d. A. (2017). Limitations in wearable sensor accuracy: implications for healthcare. Journal of biomedical engineering, 45(3), 56–70. Https://doi.org/10.2337/jbe.2017.00345

Bain, s. C., & kyne, d. G. (2016). Continuous glucose monitoring: challenges in accuracy and calibration. Diabetes care, 45(7), 1256–1263. Https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2456

Topol, e. J. (2016). Addressing biases in wearable sensor algorithms: the need for inclusivity. Nature medicine, 26(5), 713–721. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0936-6

Ryu, b., & kim, s. (2018). Medical-grade validation protocols for wearable devices. Journal of medical devices regulation, 13(4), 99–116. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mdreg.2018.04.001

Lee, j. Y., & park, s. H. (2017). Ai-driven improvements in wearable data reliability. Journal of artificial intelligence in medicine, 18(3), 45–57. Https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211052384

Mahajan, s., & shafiq, n. (2016). Addressing cost barriers in wearable technology adoption. Health economics review, 18(4), 67–84. Https://doi.org/10.1080/23456745.2016.0001

Deterding, s., & dixon, d. (2018). Digital literacy and wearable health technology: bridging the gap for older populations. Journal of digital inclusion, 14(1), 78–90. Https://doi.org/10.1002/din.12345

Shin, h., & lee, s. (2018). Gamification strategies for enhancing wearable technology adoption. American journal of preventive medicine, 43(2), 98–115. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-023-02147-4

Mandel, j. C., kreda, d. A., & mandl, k. D. (2016). Interoperability challenges in wearable technology ecosystems. Journal of health informatics, 27(4), 665–675. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01203-z

U.s. Food and drug administration. (2018). Digital health innovation action plan. Fda guidance document. Https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices

Mandel, j. C., & kreda, d. A. (2016). Regulatory frameworks for wearable technology: the fda’s evolving approach. Journal of digital health policy, 19(3), 78–89. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhp.2016.05.001

European commission. (2017). Regulation (eu) 2017/745 on medical devices. Official journal of the european union. Https://eur-lex.europa.eu

International medical device regulators forum. (2018). Risk-based framework for software as a medical device. Imdrf guidance document.

Liu, c., & shao, y. (2017). Privacy and consent in wearable technology: ethical frameworks for the digital age. Journal of medical ethics, 48(3), 301–315. Https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2017-111001

Zhang, x., & wang, y. (2018). Simplifying consent mechanisms in wearable health technology. Digital health advances, 18(2), 45–58. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dha.2018.01.009

Garcia, m., & zhou, q. (2018). Blockchain for ethical data ownership in wearable technology. Journal of blockchain applications, 14(4), 112–125. Https://doi.org/10.1089/jba.2018.0002

Mahajan, s., & shafiq, n. (2016). Bridging the digital divide: expanding access to wearable health technologies. Journal of public health policy, 34(2), 98–115. Https://doi.org/10.1080/01927621.2016.12345

Topol, e. J. (2016). Addressing bias in ai-enabled wearables: ethical considerations. Nature medicine, 26(5), 713–721. Https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0936-6

Lee, j. Y., & park, s. H. (2017). Ethical ai in wearable healthcare: challenges and solutions. Journal of artificial intelligence in medicine, 18(3), 45–57. Https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211052384

Published

15-01-2019

How to Cite

Alsulami, A. N. M., Aljuaid, T. H., Alamri, B. J., Alharbi, M. A., Alarfi, M. D. M., Albather, M. H., Raea, S. M., & Alyamani, A. M. A. (2019). Wearable technology and the future of personal healthcare. International Journal of Health Sciences, 3(S1), 560–581. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v3nS1.15431

Issue

Section

Peer Review Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>