Smart Wearable Systems for the Remote Monitoring of Selected Vascular Disorders of the Lower Extremity: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review aims at providing an overview of the state of the art regarding smart wearable systems (SWS) applications to monitor the status of patients suffering from vascular disorders of the lower extremity. Peer-reviewed literature has been analyzed to identify employed data collection methods, system characteristics, and functionalities, and research challenges and limitations to be addressed. The Medline (PubMed) and SCOPUS databases were considered to search for publications describing SWS for remote or continuous monitoring of patients suffering from intermittent claudication, venous ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers. Publications were first screened based on whether they describe an SWS applicable to the three selected vascular disorders of the lower extremity, including data processing and output to users. Information extracted from publications included targeted disease, clinical parameters to be measured and wearable devices used; system outputs to the user; system characteristics, including capabilities of remote or continuous monitoring or functionalities resulting from advanced data analyses, such as coaching, recommendations, or alerts; challenges and limitations reported; and research outputs. A total of 128 publications were considered in the full-text analysis, and 54 were finally included after eligibility criteria assessment by four independent reviewers. Our results were structured and discussed according to three main topics consisting of data collection, system functionalities, and limitations and challenges.

A Remote Monitoring Platform for the Management of Lower Limb Vascular Diseases

“…Also, leg VU remains an underexplored field and there are several opportunities to develop innovative wearable devices, namely, to guide routine compression therapy. Automated feedback, recommendations or coaching are also scarce and systems to be used by both, patients and physicians, integrated into the clinical workflow with aid of intelligent services, have not been achieved yet [2]. Thus, one of the aims of the Inno4health project aims is to provide a remote monitoring platform to help professionals and patients detect and actively correct abnormal foot pressure and temperature to prevent DFUs, and monitor pressure under compression apparatus, leg position and elevation in the case of VUs.…”

“…A remote monitoring platform targeting the diseases was designed according to requirements defined by literature review [2] and clinicians' feedback obtained through in-situ hospital visits and virtual meetings.…”