Wearable Technology: An Emerging Future Trend in mHealth

Wearables are portable electronic devices that are designed to be worn on the body, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart glasses. These wearable technology devices often have sensors and other technologies that can measure and track various health and fitness metrics, such as heart rate, steps taken, and calories burned. They can also provide a range of other features, such as notifications, music playback, and GPS tracking.

Earlier, people were hesitant in using wearables and investing one for themselves but the use of wearables has risen in recent years, due in part to their increasing affordability and the increasing availability of high-quality devices that offer a range of features and benefits, especially after Covid-19. 

Wearables can provide users with convenient and easy access to important health and fitness information, as well as help them track and improve their overall wellness. In addition, many wearables can be synced with smartphones and other devices, allowing users to easily access and share their data and track their progress over time. In fact, You too can hire dedicated developers to get your own wearable mhealth app developed.

According to Statista, In 2022, there will be 86.3 million users of health or fitness apps in the United States from almost 290 Million smartphone users which can eventually go up to 200 million more in the next 5 years.

Source – Statista

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Wearable Technology’s Impact on Healthcare

Wearable technology has the potential to significantly impact healthcare in a number of ways. Some of the potential benefits include the following:

1. Improving patient care

• Continuous monitoring

Wearable devices can continuously monitor a patient’s vital signs and alert healthcare professionals if there are any concerning changes. This can help identify potential issues early on and prevent serious complications.

• Disease management

Wearable devices can help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma by providing real-time feedback and alerts to help them make lifestyle changes.

• Medication adherence

Wearable devices can help patients remember to take their medications on time, ensuring that they receive the full benefits of their treatment.

• Rehabilitation

Wearable devices can be used to track progress during rehabilitation and physical therapy, helping patients achieve their goals more quickly.

• Remote monitoring

Wearable devices can allow healthcare professionals to remotely monitor their patients, reducing the need for in-person visits and allowing patients to receive care from the comfort of their own homes.

2. Enhancing patient engagement

• Increased convenience

Wearable technology allows patients to easily access their health information, track their progress, and monitor their vital signs from anywhere, at any time. This can be especially useful for patients who may have mobility issues or live in remote areas.

• Improved communication

Wearable devices can be connected to telemedicine platforms, which enables patients to have virtual consultations with their healthcare providers. This can improve communication between patients and their healthcare team, and help patients feel more connected and engaged in their care.

• Enhanced self-management

Wearable devices can provide patients with real-time feedback on their health behaviors, such as activity levels, sleep patterns, and diet. This can help patients identify areas for improvement and motivate them to make healthier choices.

• Increased participation in clinical trials

Wearable technology can also be used to collect data on patients participating in clinical trials. This can help researchers to better understand the effectiveness of new treatments and improve patient outcomes.

3. Reducing healthcare costs

Wearable technology has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs by providing individuals with access to real-time monitoring and tracking of their health. For example, wearable devices can continuously monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep patterns. This data can be used to identify potential health issues early on, allowing individuals to take preventative measures before the issue becomes more severe.

Additionally, wearable technology can help individuals better manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, by providing them with real-time feedback and alerts. For example, a wearable insulin pump can alert an individual when their blood sugar levels are too high or too low, allowing them to make necessary adjustments in their insulin dosage. This can help prevent costly hospital visits or emergency room visits for individuals with chronic conditions.

Overall, wearable technology has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs by providing individuals with real-time monitoring and feedback on their health, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep habits, helping them to make healthier choices, wearable technology can help prevent the development of chronic conditions, ultimately preventing costly hospital visits.

Wearable Health Device Advances

• Integration of the IoT and AI into wearable health devices 

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) into wearable health devices has led to significant advances in the healthcare industry.

One of the main benefits of this integration is the ability of these devices to continuously gather and analyze large amounts of data. For example, a wearable fitness tracker can track an individual’s heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity levels and use AI algorithms to provide personalized fitness recommendations.

In addition, the use of IoT and AI can improve the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment plans. For example, wearable devices can collect data on an individual’s symptoms and use AI algorithms to identify patterns and predict potential diagnoses. This can help healthcare professionals make more informed treatment decisions.

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• Predictive Analysis 

One area where wearable health devices are particularly useful is in the realm of predictive analysis. By collecting data on a person’s health and lifestyle, these devices can help identify patterns and trends that may indicate potential health risks. For example, a wearable device that tracks sleep patterns may detect that a person is not getting enough rest, which could lead to an increased risk of developing certain health conditions.

In addition to predicting potential health risks, wearable health devices can also be used to predict and prevent injury. For instance, a device that monitors a person’s movements during exercise could detect an improper form that could lead to injury. By alerting the user to this issue and providing corrective feedback, the device can help prevent injury and improve overall fitness.

• Biosensors

Biosensors are devices that use biological materials, such as enzymes or antibodies, to detect and measure specific substances in the body. They are used in a variety of wearable health devices, including fitness trackers, smartwatches, and medical devices.

One major advancement in wearable health devices through biosensors is the ability to continuously monitor and track vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. These devices can alert the wearer or their healthcare provider of any unusual changes in their vital signs, allowing for early detection and intervention of potential health issues. According to certain research, the technique is predicted to avert 89% of patient progression into cardiac or respiratory arrest.

• Smart Clothes

Wearable health devices have become increasingly popular in recent years, with a wide range of options available to consumers including smart watches, fitness tracker bands, and other wearable devices. While these devices offer a number of benefits, they are limited in their functionality and can be cumbersome to wear.

One of the main benefits of body-worn smart clothing is that it is more comfortable to wear. Traditional wearable devices can be bulky and awkward to wear, while smart clothing is designed to be worn like regular clothing and is often made from comfortable, stretchy materials. This makes it much easier for users to wear the clothing for long periods of time, which is essential for monitoring and tracking health data.

Another advantage of body-worn smart clothing is that it can monitor and track a wider range of health data. Traditional wearable devices are often limited in their capabilities, but smart clothing can be equipped with sensors that can measure everything from heart rate and breathing rate to posture and movement. This provides users with a more comprehensive view of their health, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their lifestyle and wellness.

Examples of some of the mhealth Apps – 

MyFitnessPal

This app allows users to track their daily food intake, exercise routine, and overall health goals. It includes a database of over 6 million foods and allows users to input their own recipes to track.

Fitbit

This app allows users to track their daily activity levels, including steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned. It also includes a social aspect, allowing users to compete with friends and share their progress.

Sleep Cycle

This app tracks users’ sleep patterns and wakes them up during their lightest sleep phase in order to improve their overall sleep quality. It also includes features such as a sleep diary and relaxation sounds to help users fall asleep.

7-Minute Workout

 This app provides users with a quick and effective workout routine that can be done in just 7 minutes. It includes a variety of exercises, such as push-ups and squats, and includes audio and visual guidance.

Headspace

This app provides users with guided meditation and mindfulness techniques to help improve their overall well-being. It includes a variety of different meditation sessions and tracks users’ progress over time.

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Conclusion 

Overall, mhealth apps have the potential to greatly improve the healthcare industry by providing accessible and convenient tools for patients to manage their health and communicate with their healthcare providers. Additionally, the adoption and effectiveness of mhealth apps may vary depending on factors such as the user’s age, socio-economic status, and access to technology. 

Therefore, it is important to continue researching and evaluating the impact of mhealth apps to ensure that they are being used effectively and ethically in the healthcare industry. Syndell, a mobile development company can help you with its proficient developers in making your dream app come to its reality. Contact us for further assistance.

FAQs 

1. What is the mHealth app?

mHealth apps are software applications that are designed to be used on a mobile device to support health and wellness. They can be used to track health metrics, access health information and resources, and communicate with healthcare providers.

2. Which segment accounted for the largest mHealth apps market share?

With a market share of 96.8%, medical applications led the mHealth apps market in 2021. This is a result of a wide range of services that assist a user in managing and tracking various circumstances having high availability.

3. Who uses mHealth apps?

mHealth apps can be used by a wide range of people, including individuals looking to improve their health and wellness, healthcare professionals seeking to manage patient care, and insurance companies and other payers looking to manage health benefits and process claims.

4. What are the benefits of using mHealth apps?

Some of the potential benefits of using mHealth apps include the ability to track and monitor health metrics, access health information, and resources, connect with healthcare providers remotely and manage chronic conditions.

5. Are mHealth apps regulated?

The regulation of mHealth apps varies by country. In some cases, mHealth apps may be subject to the same regulatory requirements as other healthcare products and services, while in other cases they may be subject to less stringent regulations. It is important to research the specific regulations that apply to mHealth apps in your country.

6. How can I find trusted mHealth apps?

There are a number of resources available for finding trusted mHealth apps, including online directories and review sites, recommendations from healthcare providers, and recommendations from the government or other regulatory bodies. It is also important to do your own research and carefully evaluate the reputation and credibility of any mHealth app before using it.