Use and effects of wearable technologies in nursing: A review of current literature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47243/jos.2815Keywords:
Wearable Technology, Nursing, Digital Health, Elderly Care, Quality Of CareAbstract
Objective: This study aims to examine the current and potential use of wearable technologies in nursing practices; to evaluate the contributions of these technologies to patient care, clinical decision-making, education and monitoring processes, and to reveal their effects on the digital transformation of nursing care in the light of current literature. Materials and Methods: In this literature-based review, studies published between 2021 and 2025 were scanned; the keywords “wearable technology”, “mobile technology”, “wearable technology in health” and “wearable technology in nursing” were used. The obtained data were evaluated from the perspective of nursing and health services, and the advantages, limitations and application possibilities of wearable devices were analyzed. Findings: The reviewed studies show that wearable technologies are used in many areas, from monitoring the elderly and chronically ill individuals at home to monitoring the burnout levels of nurses. Thanks to technologies such as fall detection belts, heart rhythm monitors, non-invasive glucose meters and smart glasses, patient safety increases, the quality of care improves and the workload of nurses can be reduced. However, problems such as high cost, lack of technical training and data privacy are also noteworthy. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings show that wearable technologies provide significant benefits in providing holistic care, early intervention and facilitating time management in nursing practices. However, the devices need to be supported in terms of technical infrastructure, ethical rules, data security and technology literacy of nurses. As a result, the development of comprehensive training, institutional collaboration and financial support mechanisms for the effective integration of wearable technologies will contribute to a sustainable digital transformation for both patients and healthcare professionals
Downloads
References
AGARWAL, A. K., GONZALES, R., SCOTT, K., & MERCHANT, R. (2024). Investigating the feasibility of using a wearable device to measure physiologic health data in emergency nurses and residents: Observational cohort study. JMIR Formative Research, 8, e51569. https://doi.org/10.2196/51569
ARAÚJO, F., NOGUEIRA, M. N., SILVA, J., & REGO, S. (2021). A technological-based platform for risk assessment, detection, and prevention of falls among home-dwelling older adults: Protocol for a quasi-experimental study. JMIR Research Protocols, 10(8), e25781. https://doi.org/10.2196/25781
BUCHHOLZ, S. W., MOWBRAY, F. I., ALLMAN, G., VERBONCOEUR, J. P., BEAM, L., & SMALL, L. (2023). Wearable devices and nurses’ health: Protocol for an integrative review. JMIR Research Protocols, 12, e48178. https://doi.org/10.2196/48178
CHI, W. N., REAMER, C., GORDON, R., SARSWAT, N., GUPTA, C., VANGOMPEL, E. W., DAYİANTİS, J., MORTON-JOST, M., RAVICHANDRAN, U., LARIMER, K., VICTORSON, D., ERWIN, J., HALASYAMANI, L., SOLOMONIDES, A., PADMAN, R., & SHAH, N. S. (2021). Continuous remote patient monitoring: Evaluation of the heart failure cascade soft launch. Applied Clinical Informatics, 12(5), 1161–1173. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1740480
CHOI, J.-Y., JEON, S., KIM, H., HA, J., JEON, G., LEE, J., & CHO, S.-I. (2022). Health-Related Indicators Measured Using Earable Devices: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(11), e36696. https://doi.org/10.2196/36696
CROTTY, A., KILLIAN, J. M., MILLER, A., CHILSON, S., & WRIGHT, R. (2023). Using wearable technology to prevent pressure injuries: An integrative review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 20(4), 351–360. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12638
DEMATTE, L. P. G., JAQUES, A. E., SOUZA, C. M., TONON, M. M., DELL’AGNOLO, C. M., RADOVANOVIC, C. A. T., CÂNDIDO, A. B., & MALEBRÁN, M. A. J. (2024). Development and validity of a mobile application prototype for hospital shift handover. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 77(4), e20230173. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0173
DONELLE, L., COMER, L., HIEBERT, B., HALL, J., SHELLEY, J. J., SMITH, M. J., KOTHARI, A., BURKELL, J., STRANGES, S., COOKE, T., SHELLEY, J. M., GILLILAND, J., NGOLE, M., & FACCA, D. (2023). Use of digital technologies for public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. Digital Health, 9, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231173220
DURSUN, N., & YILMAZ, E. (2021). Cerrahi hemşireliği alanında giyilebilir teknoloji kullanımı. İzmir Kâtip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi (IGUSABDER), 6(15), 646–656. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.948675
ENLÖF, P., ROMARE, C., JILDENSTÅL, P., RINGDAL, M., & SKÄR, L. (2021). Smart glasses for anesthesia care: Initial focus group interviews with specialized health care professionals. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 36(1), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2020.06.019
FAJARINI, M., & RAHAYU, S. (2021). Knowledge transfer through mobile application needs: A survey of nurses as end users. In The 4th International Virtual Conference on Nursing (pp. 323–332). KnE Life Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kls.v6i1.8621
GREUEL, M., SY, F., BÄRNIGHAUSEN, T., ADAM, M., VANDORMAEL, A., GATES, J., & HARLING, G. (2023). Community health worker use of smart devices for health promotion: Scoping review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 11, e42023. https://doi.org/10.2196/42023
HAWTHORNE, G., GREENİNG, N., ESLIGER, D., BRIGGS-PRICE, S., RICHARDSON, M., CHAPLIN, E., CLINCH, L., STEINER, M. C., SINGH, S. J., & ORME, M. W. (2022). Usability of wearable multiparameter technology to continuously monitor free-living vital signs in people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Prospective observational study. JMIR Human Factors, 9(1), e30091. https://doi.org/10.2196/30091
IŞIK, B. (2022). Koruyucu sağlık hizmetlerinde giyilebilir teknolojilerin kullanılmasına ilişkin yetişkin bireylerin tutumu (Yüksek lisans tezi, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü).
JIANG, Y., ZENG, K., & YANG, R. (2023). Wearable device use in older adults associated with physical activity guideline recommendations: Empirical research quantitative. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32(17–18), 6374–6383. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16631
LEE, E. W. J., TAN, W. W., PHAM, B. T. P., KAWAJA, A., & THENG, Y. L. (2024). Addressing data absenteeism and technology chauvinism in the use of gamified wearable gloves among older adults: Moderated usability study. JMIR Serious Games, 12, e47600. https://doi.org/10.2196/47600
LEENEN, J. P. L., RASING, H. J. M., KALKMAN, C. J., SCHOONHOVEN, L., & PATIJN, G. A. (2023). Process evaluation of a wireless wearable continuous vital signs monitoring intervention in 2 general hospital wards: Mixed methods study. JMIR Nursing, 6, e44061. https://doi.org/10.2196/44061
LIN, C.-C., YANG, C.-T., SU, P.-L., HSU, J.-L., SHYU, Y.-I. L., & HSU, W.-C. (2024). Implementation difficulties and solutions for a smart-clothes assisted home nursing care program for older adults with dementia or recovering from hip fracture. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 24(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02468-5
LIU, X., & ZHANG, J. (2024). Continuous glucose monitoring: A transformative approach to the detection of prediabetes. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 17, 5513–5519. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S493128
LISKIN, S. (2022). Kızılötesi ışık ile invaziv olmayan kan şekeri ölçüm sisteminin geliştirilmesi (Yüksek lisans tezi, Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü). https://acikerisim.uludag.edu.tr/handle/11452/29077
MCGILLION, M. H., DVIRNIK, N., YANG, S., BELLEY-CÔTÉ, E., LAMY, A., WHITLOCK, R., MARCUCCI, M., BORGES, F. K., DUCEPPE, E., OUELLETTE, C., BIRD, M., CARROLL, S. L., CONEN, D., TARRIDE, J.-E., HARSHA, P., SCOTT, T., GOOD, A., GREGUS, K., SANCHEZ, K., DEVEREAUX, P. J. (2022). Continuous noninvasive remote automated blood pressure monitoring with novel wearable technology: A preliminary validation study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(2), e24916. https://doi.org/10.2196/24916
DOĞAN MERİH, Y., ERTÜRK, N., YEMENİCİ, M., & SATMAN, İ. (2021). Evde sağlık hizmetlerinde teknoloji kullanımı. Türkiye Sağlık Enstitüleri Başkanlığı Dergisi, (2021), 76–89.
MIURA, T., & KANOYA, Y. (2025). Fall risk assessment and prevention strategies in nursing homes: A narrative review. Healthcare, 13(4), 357. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13040357
O’CONNOR, S. (2021). Exoskeletons in nursing and healthcare: A bionic future. Clinical Nursing Research, 30(8), 1123–1126. https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738211038365
OGNJANOVIĆ, I., ZOULIAS, E., & MANTAS, J. (2024). Progress achieved, landmarks, and future concerns in biomedical and health informatics. Healthcare, 12(20), 2041. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12202041
SANDIC SPAHO, R., UHRENFELDT, L., FOTIS, T., & GÅRE KYMRE, I. (2023). Wearable devices in palliative care for people 65 years and older: A scoping review. Digital Health, 9, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231181212
SASSEVILLE, M., ATTISSO, E., GAGNON, M.-P., SUPPER, J.-M.-W., OUELLET, S., AMIL, S., BOU ASSI, E., & NGUYEN, D. K. (2024). Performance, impact and experiences of using wearable devices for seizure detection in community-based settings: A mixed methods systematic review. mHealth, 10, 27. https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth-24-
TANAKA, M., ISHII, S., MATSUOKA, A., TANABE, S., MATSUNAGA, S., RAHMANI, A., DUTT, N., RASOULI, M., & NYAMATHI, A. (2024). Perspectives of Japanese elders and their healthcare providers on use of wearable technology to monitor their health at home: A qualitative exploration. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 152, 104691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104691
WILTON, A. R., SHEFFİELD, K., WILKES, Q., CHESAK, S., PACYNA, J., SHARP, R., CROARKİN, P. E., CHAUHAN, M., DYRBYE, L. N., BOBO, W. V., & ATHREYA, A. P. (2024). The Burnout PredictiOn Using Wearable and ArtIficial IntelligEnce (BROWNIE) study: A decentralized digital health protocol to predict burnout in registered nurses. BMC Nursing, 23(114). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01711-8
YEH, C. Y., CHUNG, Y. T., CHUANG, K. T., SHU, Y. C., KAO, H. Y., CHEN, P. L., KO, W. C., & KO, N. Y. (2021). An innovative wearable device for monitoring continuous body surface temperature (HEARThermo): Instrument validation study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 9(2), e19210. https://doi.org/10.2196/19210
ZHANG, Z., BAI, E., JOY, K., GHELAA, P. N., ADELGAİS, K., & OZKAYNAK, M. (2023). Smart glasses for supporting distributed care work: Systematic review. JMIR Medical Informatics, 11, e44161. https://doi.org/10.2196/44161
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Holistence Publications

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors publishing in this journal are deemed to have accepted the following conditions:
1. Authors retain their copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication. The work is simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which allows others to share and adapt the work with attribution to the authors and this journal.
2. Everyone listed as an author in this article must have made a significant, direct, intellectual contribution to the work and must take public responsibility for it.


