JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Continuous monitoring of vital signs using wearable, wireless devices may allow for timely detection of clinical deterioration in patients on general wards in comparison to the standard intermittent vital sign measurements. A large number of studies with many different wearable devices have been reported in recent years, but a systematic review is not available to date.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review for healthcare professionals of the current evidence about validation, feasibility, clinical and cost outcomes of wireless wearable devices for continuous vital signs monitoring.

Methods:

A systematic and comprehensive search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from 2009 to September 2019 for studies that evaluated wearable, wireless, devices for continuous monitoring of vital signs in adults. Outcomes were structured by validation, feasibility, clinical and costs. Risk of bias was determined by Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, QUADAS-2 or Quality of Health Economic Studies tool.

Results:

Twenty-seven studies were included which evaluated thirteen different wearable devices. Studies predominantly evaluated validation or feasibility outcomes of these devices. Only a few studies reported clinical outcomes and they did not report a significant effect. Cost outcomes were not reported in any study. The quality of included studies was predominantly rated as low or moderate.

Conclusions:

Wireless wearable continuous monitoring devices are mostly still in the clinical validation and feasibility testing phases. As yet there are no high quality large well controlled studies of wireless wearable devices available that show a significant clinical benefit or cost-effectiveness. Such studies are needed to help healthcare professionals and administrators in their decision making regarding implementation of these devices on a larger scale in clinical practice or in-home monitoring.