Wearable devices in neurological disorders: a narrative review of status quo and perspectives

Neurological disorders are a group of diseases involving motor, sensory, cognitive, and autonomic functions, among which stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) are prevalent. Their management, especially in conditions with chronic courses or long-term sequelae, remains a substantial unmet need. With the growing comprehension of neuroscience, the development of digital technology, and the rising demand for quality of life, wearable devices offer a promising solution for disease management. The review aimed to evaluate the application and prospect of wearable devices in neurological disorders.

We conducted the review by searching papers on the application of wearable devices and wearable technology in neurology and neurological disorders using multiple databases. We summarized the present development status of wearable devices, and outlined the potential value and future direction for further research.

Existing wearable devices for neurological diseases can be applied to diagnosis and follow-up, as an electronic biomarker detector capturing subtle and objective changes in motor, sensory, and cognitive function. The devices can also be utilized for treatment and rehabilitation, mainly through exoskeletons and brain-computer interface. The application of wearable devices in neurology currently faces several critical limitations, including technical bottlenecks in the detection of fine motor and sensory functions, a lack of industry standards, and a limited sample size.

This review demonstrates the potential of wearable technology in people with neurological disorders, enabling disease management and clinical trials outside clinical settings in the future. Nevertheless, further research is required to develop lighter, more user-friendly devices with various functions. It is believed that with increasing demand and technical support, wearable devices would have a promising range of applications.