A Scoping Review of Wearable Technologies for Use in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Ercole Barsotti; Bailey Goodman; Riley Samuelson; Martha L Carvour

doi:10.1177/19322968241231279

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A Scoping Review of Wearable Technologies for Use in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Journal article

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A Scoping Review of Wearable Technologies for Use in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Ercole Barsotti, Bailey Goodman, Riley Samuelson and Martha L Carvour

Journal of diabetes science and technology, Vol.19(4), pp.1082-1096

07/2025

DOI: 10.1177/19322968241231279

PMCID: PMC11571371

PMID: 38439547

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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11571371/pdf/10.1177_19322968241231279.pdfView

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Abstract

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which can lead to foot ulcers and lower-extremity amputations. However, cognitive differences and communication barriers may impede some methods for screening and prevention of DPN. Wearable and mobile technologies-such as smartphone apps and pressure-sensitive insoles-could help to offset these barriers, yet little is known about the effectiveness of these technologies among individuals with ID. We conducted a scoping review of the databases Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science using search terms for DM, DPN, ID, and technology to diagnose or monitor DPN. Finding a lack of research in this area, we broadened our search terms to include any literature on technology to diagnose or monitor DPN and then applied these findings within the context of ID. We identified 88 articles; 43 of 88 (48.9%) articles were concerned with gait mechanics or foot pressures. No articles explicitly included individuals with ID as the target population, although three articles involved individuals with other cognitive impairments (two among patients with a history of stroke, one among patients with hemodialysis-related cognitive changes). Individuals with ID are not represented in studies using technology to diagnose or monitor DPN. This is a concern given the risk of DM complications among patients with ID and the potential for added benefit of such technologies to reduce barriers to screening and prevention. More studies should investigate how wearable devices can be used among patients with ID.

diabetic peripheral neuropathy

diabetes mellitus

wearable technology

intellectual disability

mobile monitoring

scoping review

Details

Title: Subtitle: A Scoping Review of Wearable Technologies for Use in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Creators: Ercole Barsotti - University of Iowa
Bailey Goodman - University of Iowa
Riley Samuelson - University of Iowa, Hardin Library
Martha L Carvour - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of diabetes science and technology, Vol.19(4), pp.1082-1096
DOI: 10.1177/19322968241231279
PMID: 38439547
PMCID: PMC11571371
NLM abbreviation: J Diabetes Sci Technol
eISSN: 1932-2968
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: K12 TR004403; DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: KL2 TR002536; DOI: 10.13039/100008893, name: University of Iowa, award: Graduate College Recruitment Fellowship
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 03/04/2024
Date published: 07/2025
Academic Unit: Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Hardin Library; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984568048902771

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