“Tracking Health: How Wearable Technology Is Transforming Cancer Care”: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is a major global health problem with a significant burden in both developed and developing countries. Given the rapid growth and high acceptance of wearable devices (WDs) in cancer management, this systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of WDs in the management of cancer patients.

Methods: A structured search of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted according to the PRISMA statement guidelines. The search was limited to studies published from December 2015 to December 2023, yielding a total of 3617 studies. After quality assessment using the CASP checklists version 2018, 45 articles were included in the final review. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis.

Results: Of the 45 studies included in the review, 33 were randomized clinical trials. Notably, a significant proportion of these trials (n = 14, or 31.1%) were published in 2021, and the majority were conducted in the United States (51.1%). The findings revealed that WDs were most frequently used in breast cancer studies, accounting for 53% of the total. Fitbit devices were the most commonly used among the various types of WDs, appearing in 62.2% of the cases. The review also identified 75 concepts that were initially grouped into 21 themes, which were then consolidated into six categories: physical activity, mental wellness, quality of life, clinical outcomes, administrative outcomes, and technology acceptance.

Conclusions: Cancer care requires effective methods, and the use of WDs results in high adherence rates and the ability to provide valuable data at all stages of the patient journey. WDs help improve patient outcomes by measuring health metrics such as step count, heart rate, energy expenditure, and sleep regulation.