Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
Showing 3 appraisals
Journal of medical Internet research
The Next Generation of Wearables Won't Need the Cloud
Wearable health and fitness devices have typically relied on cloud computing to deliver insights. In this News and Perspectives article, JMIR Correspondent Michelle Falci reports on the advances facilitating on-device data processing and the potential of these next generation wearables.
25 July 2026
Read appraisal →Forensic science international
Is my smartwatch a valid witness? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Wearable devices are being increasingly used not only in traditional research fields (e.g. clinical, health) but also in innovative ones such as digital forensics. Modern commercial smartwatches, equipped with sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and photoplethysmographs, can record activity, heart rate, sleep, and other physiological parameters that may support forensic investigations, given that their data is valid. To perform a first step in studying such validity, this article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing the available studies validating data collected from smartwatches, focusing on their potential use in forensic investigations. The review examined studies evaluating smartwatches from four major brands, comparing their outputs, such as activity classification, step count, distance, heart rate, energy expenditure, and sleep metrics, against established gold-standard measures. We found that not all brands of smartwatches and not all outcomes were equally studied, with varying results in terms of accuracy, protocols, and reporting of results. Heart rate resulted the most studied (and most accurate) measure. Most studies validated smartwatches in healthy populations and performed validation in laboratory settings. Overall, while smartwatches show promise for enhancing digital forensic analyses, their current validation evidence is heterogeneous. The findings highlight the need for more extensive and standardized validation efforts, larger and more diverse study populations, and improved transparency from manufacturers. These conclusions are not only relevant for forensic applications but also extend to broader domains, such as clinical and health research, where the reliability of wearable-derived data is equally critical.
1 July 2026
Read appraisal →ACS sensors
Lignin-Regulated Amphiphilic Janus Membrane for Eco-Friendly Electronic Skin
Eco-friendly electronic skin fabricated from sustainable natural materials represents a pivotal technology for advancing healthcare and sports-oriented wearable electronics, yet balancing comfort and electronic functionality remains challenging due to inadequate moisture management. Herein, we report an eco-friendly lignin-regulated amphiphilic Janus membrane (LAJM)-based pressure sensor that synergistically integrates unidirectional water transport with exceptional sensing performance. Through sulfonation and fluorination modifications of lignin fractions with distinct hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, we engineer an electrospun layer with controlled hydrophobic-hydrophilic gradients, enabling unidirectional water transport while maintaining a dry and comfortable microenvironment. Moreover, LAJM demonstrates notable biocompatibility, antibacterial efficacy, and antioxidant properties, positioning it as a promising candidate for intelligent wound care systems. The LAJM-based pressure sensor achieves integrated sensing capabilities through its hierarchical structure, exhibiting a high sensitivity of 23.97 kPa-1 in the 0-20 kPa range, an extended operational range (0-200 kPa), and ultrafast response dynamics (22 ms response/31 ms recovery). These metrics enable robust continuous monitoring of vital signs (e.g., radial pulse waveforms), discrimination of voice patterns, and precise motion trajectory mapping under dynamic conditions. This technological breakthrough in lignin valorization establishes a scalable platform for next-generation breathable epidermal electronics, with transformative implications for AI-driven healthcare diagnostics and adaptive human-machine interfaces.
28 June 2026
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