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Wearable technologies in neurorehabilitation and cardiac rehabilitation: A narrative review
Giuseppe Micali1, Francesco Corallo1, Irene Cappadona1
1IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Via Palermo, S.S. 113, C.da Casazza, Messina, 98124, Italy.
Background/Objective:
Wearable devices are sensor-based technologies capable of continuous physiological and movement monitoring, improving health tracking and clinical care. They can play a crucial role in clinical practice including cardiac and neurological rehabilitation, aiding in conditions as stroke, Parkinson and heart failure. These tools enhance treatment adherence and outcomes through remote, continuous, and personalized monitoring. By overcoming barriers of traditional rehabilitation, wearable devices offer cost-effective, accessible, and patient-centered solutions for chronic care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the state of the art of the use of wearable devices in cardiology and neurology clinical rehabilitation practice.
Methods:
A structured literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases, for original studies published between 2014 and 2024 involving adult patients and clinical data. Only original studies with patient intervention or observation were included.
Results:
Of the 25 studies included, 19 focused on neurology and 6 on cardiology, all exploring wearable devices in adult rehabilitation from 2014 to 2024. Neurological studies targeted conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease, using robotic aids and virtual reality, while cardiac studies focused on activity monitoring and recovery support. Devices ranged from IMUs and sensor-equipped gloves to wrist-worn ECG monitors, with outcomes assessing motor function, heart rate, and rehabilitation adherence. Patient acceptance was generally positive, particularly in tele-rehabilitation contexts, although usability and long-term adherence were inconsistently reported.
Conclusions:
Wearable devices effectively improve neurological and cardiac rehabilitation by supporting personalized, data-driven therapies and remote monitoring, helping to monitor activity and therapeutic adherence. Overall, they promote better outcomes, patient autonomy, and access to care, although there is less evidence. Future studies should further investigate the utility of these devices in different rehabilitation settings.
