Assessment of Smart Watches for Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Ageing Population: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Advancement in wearable technologies is providing promising new ways to monitor and improve patient care to the ageing population. With the global demographic transition of developed countries to an ageing population, implementation of these technologies could benefit patients and clinicians. This systematic review assesses experimental studies performed utilizing these technologies. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was performed on the application of wearable technologies in the patients 60 years old or greater or what is considered ageing population. Search results were reviewed and synthesized to attempt to ascertain its possible clinical application and impact. A total of 422 papers were identified for review. Eight papers were relevant to the ageing population. The majority of papers identified were experimental studies. This was because the technology is still new to the field of medicine. The studies were performed in North America, United Kingdom, Germany and Indonesia. All showed promise that wearable technologies can benefit the management of non-communicable diseases in the ageing population. Current studies focus on the experimental nature of wearable technology. Further clinical trials are needed to assess the benefit in the management of ageing populations in the clinical setting.

Keywords

• elderly
• wearable technology
• falls
• telemedicine
• eHealth