Wearables attach to the body and track or monitor a variety of biochemical and physical parameters. This can include sleep, heartbeat, temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure or even breathing. The devices can be tattooed or worn in clothing.
Wearable technology has become a standard in consumers' lives as a means to monitor and track their health. This technology has also been a valuable tool for companies to improve productivity.
In the last few decades, the use of wearables grew significantly. People are more interested in monitoring their health. These devices are proving to be valuable in the healthcare industry, as they improve patient outcomes and reduce staff workload.
Wearables such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and other wearables have many features for different lifestyles. These can include heart-rate tracking, sleep monitoring, water resistance and swim tracking. They can also send notifications to a phone, and many offer seven-day battery life.
Some wearables are made to alert people in an emergency situation, like a bracelet or pendant that warns of danger. These wearables often feature an alarm button which sends out a preprogrammed message or voice to the recipient. They can pinpoint the location of someone, making them ideal when a person is concerned about safety.
Other wearables that are gaining popularity are those designed to treat certain medical conditions, such as a wearable insomnia headset that works by giving you cognitive behavioural therapy to help you fall asleep. This is in contrast with traditional drugs, which only provide temporary relief.
Research has been done in order to determine how to best use wearables. Some of the successful research includes health behavior modeling, personalized coaching and assistance, integration within a healthcare setting, and alignment between reimbursement models. However, there's still a great deal to be discovered about how to effectively implement these technologies.
The fact that these devices can be unreliable is one of their biggest problems, especially when reading blood glucose and blood-pressure levels. This can be especially dangerous if an individual with diabetes uses this device to monitor health and manage the condition.
Wearables also have a big impact in the military. They are used for tracking soldiers' vitals and simulated exercises, and to monitor their gear weight and terrain. Sport teams also use them to keep players fit and improve performance.
Wearables have also been proven to be beneficial for the healthcare industry in reducing hospital readmissions, reducing employee health and improving employee wellness. They have been shown to promote healthier lifestyles, which has been shown to increase productivity, decrease healthcare costs and even lead to lower turnover rates among employees.