BACKGROUND
People living with chronic diseases can benefit from connected wearable devices – also known as Internet of Things – to be more empowered in their health condition management. Previous reviews have focused on specific chronic diseases and wearable devices, such as blood glucose monitoring. However, comprehensive reviews providing an overview of devices used and their effects on self-management of health across various chronic diseases within adult populations are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To portray the types of wearable devices used, outcomes measured, chronic diseases targeted, and effects of wearable devices on chronic disease self-management among adult populations.
METHODS
We developed a search strategy in two databases to identify sources published between 2012-01-01 and 2022-06-30. We imported data in Covidence and pairs of reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and performed full-text screening. We resolved disagreements by consensus and discussion. One reviewer performed data extraction and quality assessment, and at least one senior researcher validated them.
RESULTS
From an initial 4540 imported sources, we synthetized narratively data from 79 included studies. We structured results in nine chronic diseases clusters: (1) diabetes, (2) heart failure, (3) other cardiovascular conditions, (4) hypertension, (5) multimorbidity and other combination of chronic conditions, (6) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (7) chronic pain, (8) musculoskeletal conditions, and (9) asthma. Most studies targeted diabetes in 22.8% (18/79) of studies and wearable activity trackers were the most used in 53.2% (42/79) of studies. Interventions involving connected wearable devices demonstrated statistically significant positive effects on thirty-seven clinical, twenty-eight behavioral, three patient technology experience, nine holistic/biopsychosocial, and seven health system utilization outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This review presents evidence indicating that connected wearable devices could support the self-management of chronic conditions. This review also identifies research gaps and future avenues of investigation.
CLINICALTRIAL
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