Hydrogel-based wearable and implantable biosensors in health monitoring.
Clinical Snapshot
PICO Framework
| P — Population | Not applicable - this is a narrative review of technology rather than a systematic review with defined patient populations |
| I — Intervention | Not applicable - review of hydrogel-based biosensor technology |
| C — Comparator | Not applicable - narrative review format |
| O — Outcomes | Not applicable - technology review rather than clinical outcomes study |
Bottom Line
This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of hydrogel-based biosensor technology for health monitoring applications. While the technology shows promise for continuous, biocompatible monitoring of various physiological parameters, this review lacks the systematic methodology required for evidence-based clinical recommendations. The authors appropriately acknowledge significant challenges including long-term stability, signal drift, and immune responses that must be addressed before clinical implementation. The technology remains in early development stages without sufficient clinical validation data to support routine clinical use. Healthcare professionals should view this as an informative technology overview rather than evidence for practice change. Future systematic reviews with rigorous methodology and clinical trial data will be needed to establish the clinical utility and safety profile of these devices.
Key Findings
Effect Size: Not applicable - narrative review
Primary Outcome: Technology characterization rather than clinical outcomes
Nnt Or Sensitivity: Sensor sensitivity and specificity discussed qualitatively but not quantified
Confidence Interval: Not provided
Clinical Application
Currently limited to research settings; clinical translation requires further validation Technology would require TGA approval for clinical use; potential applications in remote monitoring relevant to Australian healthcare geography Potentially broad application across multiple patient populations requiring continuous monitoring
Abstract
Hydrogel-based wearable and implantable biosensors have quickly established themselves as a paradigm-shifting platform for continuous health monitoring. They effectively reconcile the mechanical and chemical discrepancies between conventional rigid electronics and delicate biological tissues. This success is largely attributed to the hydrogel material's inherent advantages: high water content, a precisely tunable elastic modulus, and versatile functional chemistry. Collectively, these features provide structural, biological, and processing benefits that facilitate truly seamless bioelectronic integration. This Review systematically summarizes the latest advancements in hydrogel biosensors, placing emphasis on their distinctive material attributes. These include the synergistic ionic-electronic conduction, sensitive stimuli responsiveness, advanced antifouling surface chemistry, and exceptional tissue-mimicking compliance. We further delve into the fundamental physical and chemical sensing mechanisms, supported by representative applications spanning from the non-invasive, real-time analysis of sweat, tears, saliva, and interstitial fluids to the more complex domains of subcutaneous, cardiac, and neural implants. Finally, we candidly address the crucial hurdles that remain, such as long-term hydration stability, signal fidelity drift, and adverse immune responses. Concurrently, we highlight pioneering strategies to overcome these issues, including the adoption of zwitterionic designs for enhanced biocompatibility, nanocomposite reinforcement for mechanical robustness, and the utilization of transient biodegradability. By critically elucidating the intricate relationships governing hydrogel structure, chemistry, and bioelectronic function, this Review aims to chart the research trajectory toward the next generation of durable, self-healing, and fully biointegrated sensing systems.
References
- 1.Wang, Y., Gao, Y., Tang, L., Guo, Y., Sha, B., & Jiang, Y. (2026). Hydrogel-based wearable and implantable biosensors in health monitoring. Biomaterials Science. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5bm01789k
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