Wearable Sensing for Clinical Physiology Monitoring: Emerging Paradigms

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: Not applicable — no original quantitative data or pooled effect estimates are reported; the review is qualitative and descriptive in nature

• Primary Outcome: Narrative synthesis of the current state and emerging paradigms of skin-interfaced wearable sensing for clinical physiological monitoring, encompassing biophysical (e.g., ECG, PPG, EEG), biochemical (e.g., sweat analytes, interstitial glucose), and kinematic (e.g., accelerometry, gait analysis) signal domains

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not reported — no diagnostic accuracy metrics, NNT, hazard ratios, or other quantitative clinical measures are synthesised; device-specific performance metrics referenced in the review would require retrieval from individual primary studies

• Confidence Interval: Not reported — no statistical analyses performed

Clinical Application

Clinical feasibility remains variable and context-dependent. Skin-interfaced wearables are technically mature for certain applications (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring, ambulatory ECG) but remain at earlier stages of clinical validation for novel biochemical sensing (e.g., sweat-based cortisol, lactate monitoring) and multimodal platforms. Key feasibility barriers include device longevity, skin adhesion in diverse populations, data management infrastructure, clinician workflow integration, and reimbursement pathways. Point-of-care fabrication and sustainable manufacturing remain aspirational rather than currently deployable at scale. Australia's geography and the health needs of remote and Indigenous communities make wearable physiological monitoring particularly compelling. The TGA regulates wearable medical devices under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, and devices intended for clinical use require appropriate ARTG inclusion — a pathway not discussed in this review. The MBS does not currently provide broad reimbursement for wearable-derived physiological data in most clinical contexts, though remote patient monitoring items exist in limited form. The RACGP supports digital health integration in general practice but emphasises the need for clinical validation and data governance frameworks before widespread adoption. The Australian Digital Health Agency's national digital health strategy and My Health Record infrastructure are relevant enablers. Health equity considerations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — including digital literacy, connectivity, and culturally appropriate device design — are critical and unaddressed in this review. Broadly applicable to patients requiring continuous or ambulatory physiological monitoring, including those with chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological conditions, respiratory disorders, and post-surgical or post-acute care needs. Particularly relevant for remote and rural populations with limited access to traditional monitoring infrastructure, and for large-scale epidemiological cohort studies requiring real-world physiological data.

Abstract

Advances in wearable sensing technology are driving a new era of personalized health monitoring. In contrast to the hard, rigid form factors of conventional wearable sensors, these emerging skin-interfaced systems support high-quality physiological measurements across biophysical, biochemical, and kinematic signals of interest. These platforms enable continuous monitoring of complex physiological processes with unprecedented detail as a result of a seamless, conformal skin interface and advanced wireless communications capabilities. These platforms integrate flexible materials, miniaturized electronics, and wireless communication to provide detailed physiological data during daily activities. This review examines how skin-interfaced wearables are advancing patient care, remote monitoring, and large-scale health studies. We highlight critical barriers to clinical adoption including interpreting data, validating devices, and integration into health care systems. Key opportunities include sustainable manufacturing, point-of-care fabrication, and development of disease-specific digital biomarkers. By addressing these challenges through collaboration among engineers, clinicians, and data scientists, wearable sensors can expand patient access to advanced physiological monitoring and transform personalized medicine.

References

1. 1.Cherian, J., Mascia, G., Kairamkonda, D., Fisher, A., McGinnis, R. S., & Ray, T. R. (2026). Wearable sensing for clinical physiology monitoring: Emerging paradigms. Physiology (Bethesda, Md.). Advance online publication. PubMed ID: 41213179