ObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review is to map existing evidence on the use
of wearable devices in palliative care for older people.MethodsThe databases searched included MEDLINE (via Ovid), Cumulative Index to
Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Google Scholar, which was
included to capture grey literature. Databases were searched in the English
language, without date restrictions. Reviewed results included studies and
reviews involving patients aged 65 years or older who were active users of
non-invasive wearable devices in the context of palliative care, with no
limitations on gender or medical condition. The review followed the Joanna
Briggs Institute's comprehensive and systematic guidelines for conducting
scoping reviews.ResultsOf the 1,520 reports identified through searching the databases, reference
lists, and citations, six reports met our inclusion criteria. The types of
wearable devices discussed in these reports were accelerometers and
actigraph units. Wearable devices were found to be useful in various health
conditions, as the patient monitoring data enabled treatment adjustments.
The results are mapped in tables as well as a Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews
(PRISMA-ScR) chart.ConclusionsThe findings indicate limited and sparse evidence for the population group of
patients aged 65 years and older in the palliative context. Hence, more
research on this particular age group is needed. The available evidence
shows the benefits of wearable device use in enabling patient-centred
palliative care, treatment adjustments and symptom management, and reducing
the need for patients to travel to clinics while maintaining communication
with healthcare professionals.