Wearables in ADHD: Monitoring and Intervention-Where Are We Now?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Wearable technology offers continuous data collection for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), moving beyond traditional clinical assessments.
• These devices capture moment-to-moment fluctuations in movement, arousal, and neuro-electrical activity characteristic of ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review empirical studies on wearable devices for ADHD diagnosis, monitoring, or intervention.
• To synthesize evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential utility of wearables in ADHD care.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search (2013-2025) across biomedical and engineering databases.
• Narrative synthesis of empirical studies using wearables for ADHD monitoring, intervention, or both.
• Inclusion criteria focused on wearable devices applied to ADHD, with no quantitative pooling due to heterogeneity.

Main Results:

• Wearables (accelerometers, heart-rate, EEG) capture ecologically valid ADHD markers like hyperactivity and attentional lapses.
• Continuous monitoring shows wearable metrics align with symptom changes and medication effects.
• Early intervention trials utilize haptic feedback, apps, and neuromodulation via wearables, with good participant tolerance.

Conclusions:

• Wearables are feasible and acceptable for ADHD, but larger, standardized, long-term studies are essential to confirm clinical utility.
• Addressing data privacy, equity, and cost-effectiveness is crucial for integrating wearables into routine ADHD care.
• Collaboration among clinicians, engineers, and policymakers is vital for successful implementation.