Exploring wearable technologies for health monitoring: a systematic review of applications, advantages and disadvantages

A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology, examining literature published between 2021 and 2025 in the Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Taylor & Francis databases. From 943 initial records, 50 studies evaluating the clinical use of wearable devices for health monitoring were selected. The results demonstrate significant progress toward the integration of passive sensor data with predictive algorithms and digital platforms, facilitating remote patient monitoring, early detection of clinical events and supporting therapeutic adherence. However, methodological heterogeneity, limited validation against clinical standards and gaps in interoperability, privacy and regulation limit the confirmation of reproducible clinical benefits. These challenges must be addressed to fully realize the transformative potential of wearables in chronic disease management. In conclusion, although wearable devices show considerable potential to revolutionize health monitoring and management, their effective adoption requires rigorous research that validates their accuracy, clinical impact and feasibility in diverse contexts, as well as the development of regulatory frameworks that ensure data privacy and security.