Wearable Technologies for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Monitoring and Risk Prediction: A Systematic Review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Wearable technologies, including smart insoles and sensor-equipped footwear, enable continuous monitoring of critical foot parameters such as pressure and temperature in patients with diabetic foot ulcers
Objective:
This systematic review assesses clinical outcomes associated with these wearable devices and analyzes their technological features
Methods:
Following PRISMA guidelines, comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify studies evaluating wearable technologies for monitoring foot-specific parameters in individuals at risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Titles, abstracts, and full texts were independently screened by two reviewers. Data extracted included study characteristics, clinical features, types of wearable devices, monitored parameters, and technical specifications.
Results:
From 1,088 initial records, 25 studies met inclusion criteria. These studies varied in design, sample size, setting, and follow-up duration. Wearable devices included smart insoles, socks, and external sensors, monitoring parameters such as plantar pressure and temperature. Devices differed in sensor type, location, number of sensors, communication protocol, and data acquisition rate. Participants commonly had diabetes, neuropathy history, and prior DFUs.
Conclusions:
Wearable technologies show promise for monitoring DFU risk factors and enabling early detection. However, further high-quality studies are needed to evaluate their clinical effectiveness in preventing DFUs and improving patient outcomes
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