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Hydrogels, known for their unique ability to retain large amounts of water, have emerged as pivotal materials in both tissue engineering and biosensing applications. This review provides an updated and comprehensive examination of cutting-edge hydrogel technologies and their multifaceted roles in these fields. Initially, the chemical composition and intrinsic properties of both natural and synthetic hydrogels are discussed, highlighting their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The manuscript then probes into innovative scaffold designs and fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, electrospinning, and self-assembly methods, emphasizing their applications in regenerating bone, cartilage, skin, and neural tissues. In the realm of biosensing, hydrogels' responsive nature is explored through their integration into optical, electrochemical, and piezoelectric sensors. These sensors are instrumental in medical diagnostics for glucose monitoring, pathogen detection, and biomarker identification, as well as in environmental and industrial applications like pollution and food quality monitoring. Furthermore, the review explores cross-disciplinary innovations, including the use of hydrogels in wearable devices, and hybrid systems, and their potential in personalized medicine. By addressing current challenges and future directions, this review aims to underscore the transformative impact of hydrogel technologies in advancing healthcare and industrial practices, thereby providing a vital resource for researchers and practitioners in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress is an elevated psycho-physiological state of the human body, arising in response to a difficult event or stressful situation. Environmental factors that cause pressure are referred to as stressors. Prolonged exposure to multiple stressors simultaneously can adversely affect a person's mental and physical health, potentially leading to chronic health issues. The negative effects of mental stress on human health have been recognized for decades. High levels of stress should be detected early to prevent these adverse effects. While the stress response helps the body overcome challenges and prepare for threats, prolonged stress can harm health. This paper aims to design a basic, cost-effective, low-power smart band for healthcare that detects mental stress based on skin conductance. This band can continuously monitor the user's mental stress and wirelessly transmit stress-related data to the user's smartphone. It not only helps users better understand their stress levels but also provides physicians with reliable data for improved treatment. The inputs to this tool come from various alerts generated by different sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review investigates the transformative potential of sensor-driven digital twin technology in enhancing healthcare delivery within smart environments. We explore the integration of smart environments with sensor technologies, digital health capabilities, and location-based services, focusing on their impacts on healthcare objectives and outcomes. This work analyzes the foundational technologies, encompassing the Internet of Things (IoT), Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI), that underpin the functionalities within smart environments. We also examine the unique characteristics of smart homes and smart hospitals, highlighting their potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery through remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and real-time data sharing. The review presents a novel solution framework leveraging sensor-driven digital twins to address both healthcare needs and user requirements. This framework incorporates wearable health devices, AI-driven health analytics, and a proof-of-concept digital twin application. Furthermore, we explore the role of location-based services (LBS) in smart environments, emphasizing their potential to enhance personalized healthcare interventions and emergency response capabilities. By analyzing the technical advancements in sensor technologies and digital twin applications, this review contributes valuable insights to the evolving landscape of smart environments for healthcare. We identify the opportunities and challenges associated with this emerging field and highlight the need for further research to fully realize its potential to improve healthcare delivery and patient well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in healthcare management through the use of technology have revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered and managed. Here are some starting points to explore this topic: Information and communication technologies (ICT), Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Wearable Health Devices, and Big Data. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are being widely used in healthcare management systems. Rapid advancements in ICT provide solutions to the problems in healthcare management systems. Also, particular advances in the field of Information Technology (IT) are assisting in better management of health appointments and record management. With the proliferation of IT and management, data is now playing a vital role in diagnostics, drug administration, and management of healthcare services. Smart healthcare uses a new generation of information technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data, to transform the traditional medical system in an all-around way, making healthcare more efficient, more convenient, and more personalized. Advancements in Wearable Healthcare Devices have transformed the healthcare system by reducing hospital workload and giving more accurate and timely data. Wearable technology has made remarkable advancements in healthcare, and its future perspective is promising. By providing continuous monitoring, personalized insights, and remote patient management, wearables have the potential to improve healthcare outcomes, enhance preventive care, and contribute to population health management. Advanced healthcare sensors are used for the easy monitoring of patients. These technologies allow the monitoring and analysis of various health parameters in realtime. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to the utilization of telemedicine, and wearable devices, technology has enabled healthcare professionals to provide better, more accessible, and more personalized care. As we move forward, it is crucial to strike a balance between the benefits of technology and the essential human element of care, all while addressing the associated challenges to ensure a bright and sustainable future for healthcare management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels, known for their unique ability to retain large amounts of water, have emerged as pivotal materials in both tissue engineering and biosensing applications. This review provides an updated and comprehensive examination of cutting-edge hydrogel technologies and their multifaceted roles in these fields. Initially, the chemical composition and intrinsic properties of both natural and synthetic hydrogels are discussed, highlighting their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The manuscript then probes into innovative scaffold designs and fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, electrospinning, and self-assembly methods, emphasizing their applications in regenerating bone, cartilage, skin, and neural tissues. In the realm of biosensing, hydrogels’ responsive nature is explored through their integration into optical, electrochemical, and piezoelectric sensors. These sensors are instrumental in medical diagnostics for glucose monitoring, pathogen detection, and biomarker identification, as well as in environmental and industrial applications like pollution and food quality monitoring. Furthermore, the review explores cross-disciplinary innovations, including the use of hydrogels in wearable devices, and hybrid systems, and their potential in personalized medicine. By addressing current challenges and future directions, this review aims to underscore the transformative impact of hydrogel technologies in advancing healthcare and industrial practices, thereby providing a vital resource for researchers and practitioners in the field.

Introduction: The burden of diabetes mellitus is increasing in Africa. Wearables have a proven track record of combating chronic diseases. However, little is known about patients’ intentions to use such technologies in resource-limited settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess DM patients' intentions to use wearable health devices and its predictors in Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 924 diabetes mellitus patients from May 19 to June 23, 2022, at referral hospitals in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data using the Kobo Collect app. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Descriptive statistics were done using SPSS version 25 software and presented using tables and pie charts. Structural equation modeling analysis with SPSS AMOS version 26 software was employed to identify predictors associated with the intention to use wearable health devices in Ethiopia. Results: A total of 883 diabetes mellitus patients, with a 95.56% response rate, participated in the study. The proportion of intention to use wearable health devices was 47.1%, 95% CI (43.7–50.5). Effort expectancy (β = 0.543, P

Andreas Hein Willius,1 Marisa Torres Hidalgo,2 Pablo Arroyo Zuñiga,1 Margarita Quezada Venegas,1 Christian Arriagada Díaz,3 Eduardo Valenzuela Abarca,4 Ernesto San Martín Gutierrez,5 Paula Bedregal6 1Project DEPPAS-FONDEF (ID17AM0038), Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile; 2Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile; 3School of Social Work, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatric Program, Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile; 5Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Social Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile; 6Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, ChileCorrespondence: Andreas Hein WilliusDepartamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Segundo Piso, ChileTel +569 5624 0699Email aahein@uc.clAims: DEPPAS (“Dispositivo Electrónico Personal y Portable en Salud” or Personal, Portable Electronic Health Device in English) is a portable device in form of a bracelet that allows storing electronic health records of older adults experiencing chronic illnesses. The device seeks to support the vital sustainability of older adults by storing critical health information when electronic or paper records have been lost as a consequence of a disaster. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to experience negative consequences in this context. The present study explores the end-user acceptability of DEPPAS in order to inform the next design stages of the device.Methods: Twenty home-dwelling urban male and female older adults enrolled in a chronic health management program were invited to participate in two focus groups. A prototype of DEPPAS was presented and reactions to health service disruption scenarios were explored. Focus groups were transcribed. Content analysis based on the Technology Acceptance Model was conducted.Results: Older adults are acutely aware of their vulnerable health status. Participants report overall positive reactions to DEPPAS. The device was associated with feelings of relief and an increased sense of control over their health management. DEPPAS is perceived as useful, usable, and safe. Even though concerns regarding confidentiality were raised, benefits are perceived as more relevant than potential risks. Participants agree that its usefulness could be extended beyond disaster situations to everyday health care management. Implications for future development and limitations are discussed.Conclusion: The conceptual design DEPPAS shows a high level of acceptability by this end user and a high potential to be integrated with other complementary technologies (e.g. GPS, medication reminders) that could significantly contribute to improving health management in disaster situations.Keywords: wearable health devices, portable electronic health records, acceptability, older adults

Aims: DEPPAS ("Dispositivo Electrónico Personal y Portable en Salud" or Personal, Portable Electronic Health Device in English) is a portable device in form of a bracelet that allows storing electronic health records of older adults experiencing chronic illnesses. The device seeks to support the vital sustainability of older adults by storing critical health information when electronic or paper records have been lost as a consequence of a disaster. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to experience negative consequences in this context. The present study explores the end-user acceptability of DEPPAS in order to inform the next design stages of the device. Methods: Twenty home-dwelling urban male and female older adults enrolled in a chronic health management program were invited to participate in two focus groups. A prototype of DEPPAS was presented and reactions to health service disruption scenarios were explored. Focus groups were transcribed. Content analysis based on the Technology Acceptance Model was conducted. Results: Older adults are acutely aware of their vulnerable health status. Participants report overall positive reactions to DEPPAS. The device was associated with feelings of relief and an increased sense of control over their health management. DEPPAS is perceived as useful, usable, and safe. Even though concerns regarding confidentiality were raised, benefits are perceived as more relevant than potential risks. Participants agree that its usefulness could be extended beyond disaster situations to everyday health care management. Implications for future development and limitations are discussed. Conclusion: The conceptual design DEPPAS shows a high level of acceptability by this end user and a high potential to be integrated with other complementary technologies (e.g. GPS, medication reminders) that could significantly contribute to improving health management in disaster situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable Health Devices (WHDs) are increasingly helping people to better monitor their health status both at an activity/fitness level for self-health tracking and at a medical level providing more data to clinicians with a potential for earlier diagnostic and guidance of treatment. The technology revolution in the miniaturization of electronic devices is enabling to design more reliable and adaptable wearables, contributing for a world-wide change in the health monitoring approach. In this paper we review important aspects in the WHDs area, listing the state-of-the-art of wearable vital signs sensing technologies plus their system architectures and specifications. A focus on vital signs acquired by WHDs is made: first a discussion about the most important vital signs for health assessment using WHDs is presented and then for each vital sign a description is made concerning its origin and effect on heath, monitoring needs, acquisition methods and WHDs and recent scientific developments on the area (electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood glucose, skin perspiration, capnography, body temperature, motion evaluation, cardiac implantable devices and ambient parameters). A general WHDs system architecture is presented based on the state-of-the-art. After a global review of WHDs, we zoom in into cardiovascular WHDs, analysing commercial devices and their applicability versus quality, extending this subject to smart t-shirts for medical purposes. Furthermore we present a resumed evolution of these devices based on the prototypes developed along the years. Finally we discuss likely market trends and future challenges for the emerging WHDs area.

Background: Prevention of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in middle-aged individuals is an important public health issue. Technology-mediated interventions, such as wearable health devices, can aid in lifestyle modification, but they require habitual use to sustain healthy behavior. However, the underlying mechanisms and predictors of habitual use of wearable health devices among middle-aged individuals remain unclear., Objective: We investigated the predictors of habitual use of wearable health devices among middle-aged individuals with risk factors for MetS., Methods: We proposed a combined theoretical model based on the health belief model, the Unified Technology of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2, and perceived risk. We conducted a web-based survey of 300 middle-aged individuals with MetS between September 3 and 7, 2021. We validated the model using structural equation modeling., Results: The model explained 86.6% of the variance in the habitual use of wearable health devices. The goodness-of-fit indices revealed that the proposed model has a desirable fit with the data. Performance expectancy was the core variable explaining the habitual use of wearable devices. The direct effect of the performance expectancy on habitual use of wearable devices was greater (β=.537, P<.001) than that of intention to continue use (β=.439, P<.001), and the total effect estimate of the performance expectancy was 0.909 (P<.001), including the indirect effect (β=.372, P=.03) on habitual use of wearable devices via intention to continue use. Furthermore, performance expectancy was influenced by health motivation (β=.497, P<.001), effort expectancy (β=.558, P<.001), and risk perception (β=.137, P=.02). Perceived vulnerability (β=.562, P<.001) and perceived severity (β=.243, P=.008) contributed to health motivation., Conclusions: The results suggest the importance of the users' performance expectations for wearable health devices for the intention of continued use for self-health management and habituation. Based on our results, developers and health care practitioners should find better ways to meet the performance expectations of middle-aged individuals with MetS risk factors. They also should generate device use easier and find a way to encourage users' health motivation, thereby reducing users' effort expectancy and resulting in a reasonable performance expectancy of the wearable health device, to induce users' habitual use behaviors., (©Jaeyoung Ha, Jungmi Park, Sangyi Lee, Jeong Lee, Jin-Young Choi, Junhyoung Kim, Sung-il Cho, Gyeong-Suk Jeon. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 06.04.2023.)

• Design and validation of an unobtrusive and easy-to-use wearable de-vice to measure RR is presented. • The RIAV from reflectance type PPG signals is extracted using IMS algorithm. • Adaptive thresholding algorithm and FFT analysis is employed to ex-tract RR from RIAV signature. • The proposed approach achieves a RR accuracy of 1 bpm deviation against the ground truth. Among the many vital parameters of human body, breath rate monitoring is paramount to detect the symptoms of several respiratory diseases such as sleep apnea syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. Hence, this paper puts forward a novel framework to measure the respiration rate (RR) using the reflective type photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals acquired using an inexpensive and easy-to-use wearable device. Extracting the respiration induced amplitude variations (RIAV) from PPG signal using the incremental merge segmentation (IMS) algorithm, the proposed approach shows that robust RR estimation in realtime is feasible through low cost Cortex-M4 microcontroller. Using the sliding window approach augmented with adaptive thresholding technique that can deal with motion artifacts, we show that robust RR estimation is viable using reflectance type PPG, which is largely unexplored. Moreover, to handle the non-uniform nature of RIAV signal, this work employs uniform interval interpolation technique and removes the non-respiratory frequencies using finite impulse response (FIR) band-pass filter. Through the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of regular interval RIAV sequence, the dominant frequency corresponding to the RR is extracted. The performance of the proposed scheme is validated not only on two publicly available PPG datasets but also on a custom designed experimental setup integrated with the smartphone. The experimental results highlight that our approach can achieve a RR estimation accuracy of 1 bpm deviation against the ground truth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable Health Devices (WHDs) are increasingly helping people to better monitor their health status both at an activity/fitness level for self-health tracking and at a medical level providing more data to clinicians with a potential for earlier diagnostic and guidance of treatment. The technology revolution in the miniaturization of electronic devices is enabling to design more reliable and adaptable wearables, contributing for a world-wide change in the health monitoring approach. In this paper we review important aspects in the WHDs area, listing the state-of-the-art of wearable vital signs sensing technologies plus their system architectures and specifications. A focus on vital signs acquired by WHDs is made: first a discussion about the most important vital signs for health assessment using WHDs is presented and then for each vital sign a description is made concerning its origin and effect on heath, monitoring needs, acquisition methods and WHDs and recent scientific developments on the area (electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood glucose, skin perspiration, capnography, body temperature, motion evaluation, cardiac implantable devices and ambient parameters). A general WHDs system architecture is presented based on the state-of-the-art. After a global review of WHDs, we zoom in into cardiovascular WHDs, analysing commercial devices and their applicability versus quality, extending this subject to smart t-shirts for medical purposes. Furthermore we present a resumed evolution of these devices based on the prototypes developed along the years. Finally we discuss likely market trends and future challenges for the emerging WHDs area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]