Wearable Technology and Its Role in Neurologic Care: Emerging Issues in Neurology
Clinical Snapshot
PICO Framework
| P — Population | Patients with neurologic conditions including epilepsy, headache disorders, cardiac conditions, and sleep disorders |
| I — Intervention | Non-FDA-cleared consumer wearable devices and associated tracking applications |
| C — Comparator | Standard neurologic care without wearable technology |
| O — Outcomes | Device adherence, patient engagement, clinical utility, unintended consequences (anxiety), validation of neurologic monitoring |
Bottom Line
This narrative review highlights the emerging role of consumer wearable devices in neurologic care, identifying both promise and significant limitations. While these non-FDA-cleared devices show potential for monitoring epilepsy, headaches, cardiac conditions, and sleep disorders, key challenges include poor adherence, patient attrition, and unintended anxiety. The authors emphasize that validation studies are urgently needed before widespread clinical adoption. For Australian clinicians, this technology offers opportunities for enhanced patient monitoring but requires careful consideration of TGA regulations, evidence-based implementation, and patient counselling about limitations. The review underscores that while wearable technology represents an exciting frontier in neurology, premature adoption without proper validation could lead to clinical decision-making based on unreliable data.
Key Findings
Effect Size: Not quantified
Primary Outcome: Significant promise identified in wearable technology for neurologic conditions
Nnt Or Sensitivity: Adherence and engagement remain problematic with heightened anxiety as unintended consequence
Confidence Interval: Not provided
Clinical Application
High feasibility given widespread consumer wearable adoption, but validation and clinical integration challenges remain Relevant to Australian practice; TGA regulation of medical devices applies, PBS funding considerations for validated devices, alignment with RACGP digital health guidelines needed Australian patients with epilepsy, headache disorders, sleep disorders, and cardiac conditions requiring neurologic monitoring
Abstract
Consumer wearable devices are commonly used by patients and consumers for several reasons with increasing application as new technologies are developed. Use of these devices is an emerging issue in Neurology because of increased adoption and the additional data reported to providers by patients. Understanding of possible functions, limitations, and effect on patients of non-US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared wearable technology to inform neurologic care is needed. A common theme in people with neurologic conditions regarding consumer wearables and associated tracking applications is that there is significant promise in these tools, but adherence (days per use/per week), continued engagement (attrition), and unintended consequences such as heightened anxiety remain important issues. Further understanding and validation of these devices is needed within the field of Neurology before full use and confidence can be achieved. Below, we provide examples of non-FDA-cleared wearable devices used in Neurology in the areas of epilepsy, headache, cardiac monitoring, and sleep.
References
- 1.Benish, S. M., Friedman, D., Merchant, S., Minen, M. T., St Louis, E. K., & Patel, A. D. (2026). Wearable technology and its role in neurologic care: Emerging issues in neurology. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214802
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