A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF WEARABLE HEALTH DEVICES: ADVANCES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

This comprehensive review examines the current landscape of wearable health technologies through a mixed-methods approach combining technical assessments, user experience analysis, and healthcare integration evaluation. The study analyzed 15 commercial wearable devices, collected data from 350 users over a 6- month period, and conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders. Technical accuracy varied significantly across devices and physiological parameters, with higher accuracy in physical activity tracking (93.7%) compared to blood glucose monitoring (76.3%). User satisfaction averaged 7.4/10, with significant variations across demographic groups and a 37.3% decline in adherence after three months. Healthcare integration revealed promising correlations with clinical measurements for cardiovascular parameters (r=0.84) but highlighted concerns regarding data reliability and workflow impact among providers. Security analysis identified concerning vulnerabilities, particularly in data encryption and Bluetooth protocols. Longitudinal engagement showed distinct usage patterns with a 61.3% decline in active engagement by month three, though social features significantly improved retention. These findings illuminate the complex interplay between technical performance, user experience, clinical utility, and security considerations in wearable health devices, offering valuable insights for manufacturers, healthcare providers, and end-users navigating this rapidly evolving technological landscape.