From the Guidelines
Wearable health tech devices, such as validated apps, wearables, and continuous glucose monitors (CGM), are highly recommended for monitoring and managing various health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and sleep disorders. When it comes to monitoring health conditions, several devices are available, including:
- Validated apps and wearables to track weight, calorie intake, nutritional quality, physical activity, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep quality 1
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitors for patients with known or suspected hypertension, all persons on insulin, and those using sulfonylureas or experiencing hypoglycemia 1
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for persons desiring information on the impact of diet and physical activity, and for those taking any antihyperglycemic medication 1
- Structured self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) for all persons using insulin or oral agents who lack access to CGM 1
- Automated insulin delivery (AID) and smart pens for all patients on intensive insulin regimens 1 These devices can provide valuable insights into a person's health status, enabling early detection and management of potential health issues. For example, CGM systems like the Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre 3 can eliminate the need for frequent finger pricks and provide real-time glucose alerts to smartphones. Similarly, devices like the Omron HeartGuide can provide clinically validated blood pressure readings, while the Oura Ring Generation 3 and Whoop 4.0 band can track detailed sleep metrics and recovery metrics, respectively. Overall, the key to maximizing the benefits of wearable health tech devices is consistent daily use, which can help establish personal baselines and identify meaningful changes in health status before they become serious problems.
From the Research
Wearable Health Tech Devices
Wearable health tech devices are designed to assist individuals in monitoring and managing various health conditions. These devices can be worn on different parts of the body, including the head, limbs, and torso, and can track physiological parameters and metabolic status 2. Some examples of wearable health tech devices include:
- Fitness trackers
- Smartwatches
- Devices that measure blood pressure, skin temperature, oximetry, or respiratory rate
Applications of Wearable Health Tech Devices
Wearable health tech devices have various applications, including:
- Health and safety monitoring
- Chronic disease management
- Disease diagnosis and treatment
- Rehabilitation These devices can empower individuals to take greater responsibility for their health and care by assisting with diagnosis, behavior change, and self-monitoring 3.
Benefits and Limitations of Wearable Health Tech Devices
The benefits of wearable health tech devices include:
- Validation, accuracy, and clinical certification
- Ability to track physiological parameters and metabolic status
- Potential to transform the understanding of population health dynamics and the ability to forecast health trends However, there are also limitations to the use of wearable health tech devices, including:
- Difficulties in achieving user-friendly solutions
- Security and privacy concerns
- Lack of industry standards
- Technical bottlenecks 2, 4.
Predictors of Wearable Health Tech Device Use
The use of wearable health tech devices is influenced by various factors, including:
- Demographics (age, gender, race, education, marital status, and household income)
- Individual health (general health, presence of chronic conditions, weight perceptions, frequency of provider visits, and attitude towards exercise)
- Technology self-efficacy For example, women, White individuals, adults aged 18-50 years, those with some level of college education or college graduates, and those with annual household incomes greater than US $75,000 are more likely to report using wearable health care devices 5.
Future Directions
Further research is needed to explore the applications of wearable health tech devices in the medical field and to address the limitations and challenges associated with their use 2, 4, 6. Additionally, efforts are needed to bridge the divide in the use of wearable devices among different segments of the population, including older adults, those with lower incomes, and those with lower levels of education and technology self-efficacy 5.