From the Guidelines
Wearable health tech devices, such as validated apps, wearables, and continuous glucose monitors, are highly recommended for monitoring and managing various health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and sleep disorders, as they provide continuous monitoring and enable earlier intervention and more personalized care. When considering wearable health tech devices for monitoring and managing health conditions, several options are available.
- For diabetes management, devices like Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 are excellent choices, providing real-time glucose readings without frequent finger pricks 1.
- For heart-related conditions, devices like Apple Watch Series 9 and Fitbit Sense 2 offer ECG monitoring, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and continuous heart rate tracking.
- For sleep disorders, devices like Oura Ring and Withings Sleep Analyzer track sleep stages, breathing disturbances, and can detect potential sleep apnea.
- Blood pressure can be monitored with devices like Omron HeartGuide or Withings BPM Connect, which provide clinical-grade measurements. The effectiveness of these devices stems from their ability to provide continuous monitoring rather than the periodic snapshots obtained during doctor visits, enabling earlier intervention and more personalized care 1. Key considerations when selecting a wearable health tech device include the type of health condition being managed, the level of accuracy and reliability required, and the ease of use and integration with existing healthcare systems.
- Devices like Fitbit and Garmin offer a range of activity tracking features, including step count, distance, and heart rate monitoring 1.
- Devices like Propeller Health attach to inhalers to track medication use and identify triggers for asthma or COPD. Overall, wearable health tech devices have the potential to revolutionize the way we manage and monitor various health conditions, and their use should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
From the Research
Wearable Health Tech Devices
Wearable health tech devices are designed to assist individuals in monitoring and managing various health conditions. Some of the key devices include:
- Smartwatches that monitor heart rate and physical activity 2
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) that provide real-time glucose levels for users with diabetes 2
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices for individuals with sleep apnea 2
- Fitness trackers that track steps, heart rate, and sleep duration 3
Applications of Wearable Health Tech Devices
Wearable health tech devices have various applications, including:
- Health and safety monitoring 4
- Chronic disease management 4, 2
- Disease diagnosis and treatment 4
- Rehabilitation 4
- Tracking physiological parameters and metabolic status 4
Benefits and Limitations of Wearable Health Tech Devices
The benefits of wearable health tech devices include:
- Empowering individuals to take greater responsibility for their health and care 5
- Providing personalized and real-time health data 2
- Assisting with diagnosis, behavior change, and self-monitoring 5 However, there are also limitations, such as:
- Difficulty in achieving user-friendly solutions 4
- Security and privacy concerns 4
- Lack of industry standards 4
- Technical bottlenecks 4
Predictors of Wearable Health Tech Device Use
The use of wearable health tech devices is predicted by factors such as:
- Demographics (age, gender, race, education, marital status, and household income) 6
- Individual health (general health, presence of chronic conditions, weight perceptions, frequency of provider visits, and attitude towards exercise) 6
- Technology self-efficacy 6
- Adults who reported feeling healthier, were overweight, enjoyed exercise, and reported higher levels of technology self-efficacy were more likely to adopt and use wearables 6