Longitudinal Studies of Wearables in Patients with Diabetes: Key Issues and Solutions

Abstract

Glucose monitoring is key to the management of diabetes mellitus to maintain optimal glucose control whilst avoiding hypoglycemia. Non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring techniques have evolved considerably to replace finger prick testing, but still require sensor insertion. Physiological variables, such as heart rate and pulse pressure, change with blood glucose, especially during hypoglycemia, and could be used to predict hypoglycemia. To validate this approach, clinical studies that contemporaneously acquire physiological and continuous glucose variables are required. In this work, we provide insights from a clinical study undertaken to study the relationship between physiological variables obtained from a number of wearables and glucose levels. The clinical study included three screening tests to assess neuropathy and acquired data using wearable devices from 60 participants for four days. We highlight the challenges and provide recommendations to mitigate issues that may impact the validity of data capture to enable a valid interpretation of the outcomes.

Assessment Scales in Cerebral Palsy: A Comprehensive Review of Tools and Applications

“…This longitudinal approach enables healthcare professionals to identify trends, track progress, and assess the effectiveness of interventions and treatments. Longitudinal data can also be valuable in research studies, contributing to a deeper understanding of the natural history of CP and the impact of various interventions on motor function and daily life [ 56 ].…”

Role of Smart Wearables in Remote Patient Monitoring for Diabetes

“…A potential solution for managing diabetes is early detection and continuous and remote patient monitoring (Ramesh et al, 2021). The monitoring of blood sugar levels includes collecting blood samples by finger prick followed by inconvenient analysis (Alhaddad et al, 2023). Wearable devices like smartphones, smartwatches, and personal health devices assist in regularly monitoring glucose in the blood, measuring physiological parameters like blood pressure, and temperature, indicating increasing sugar levels, and predicting risk (Bent et al, 2021).…”