# The role of wearable technologies in supporting physical and psychosocial health outcomes among breast cancer patients: a systematic review

## TL;DR

This review explores how wearable devices, when used with exercise or mindfulness, may help breast cancer patients with physical and mental health, but more research is needed.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in evaluating the added value of wearable technologies in breast cancer care through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

## Key findings

- Wearable devices improved fatigue, quality of life, stress, and physical activity in breast cancer patients.
- Exercise interventions supported by wearables increased moderate-to-vigorous activity and cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Wearables showed high feasibility and user acceptability in small trials.

## Abstract

This systematic review aimed to examine the effects of wearable technologies on physical functioning, symptom-related outcomes, and psychosocial health parameters in patients with breast cancer. The primary research question was whether wearable devices provide added value as supportive tools when integrated with established interventions such as exercise or mindfulness-based approaches.

The review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420251113029). A systematic search was conducted across Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid MEDLINE. Randomized controlled trials evaluating wearable technologies in breast cancer populations were included. Study selection and data extraction were independently conducted by two reviewers using the Covidence platform. Due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes, results were synthesized using a narrative approach.

Three randomized controlled trials published between 2019 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 28 to 52 participants. Wearable technologies included EEG headbands, activity trackers, and smart bracelets. Interventions supported by wearable devices were associated with improvements in fatigue, emotional and functional domains of quality of life, perceived stress, and physical activity. In exercise-based studies, objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased (e.g., median O-MVPA: 234.3 vs. 128.3 min/week), and cardiorespiratory fitness improved (VO₂peak + 2.43 mL/kg/min). High feasibility and user acceptability were consistently reported.

Findings from a limited number of randomized controlled trials suggest that wearable technologies may play a supportive role in breast cancer care by facilitating monitoring, adherence, and self-management when combined with established interventions. However, the available evidence remains limited, and further high-quality research is needed to clarify the independent and additive contributions of wearable technologies to physical, clinical, and psychosocial outcomes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-026-10554-9.