Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

As people age, many experience a natural decline in mobility, which can make everyday activities harder. To help with this, wearable devices are used to support movement and activity. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI)-technology that mimics human thinking and learning-has been added to these devices to make them even more effective. This study reviewed research on wearable devices with AI designed for older adults to see how they work and what they can do. We looked at studies from major scientific databases and included studies written in English that focused on wearable devices with AI for people aged 65 and older. We found 14 eligible studies across different designs, like observational and validation studies that were conducted in North America, Asia, and Europe. Half of the studies included fewer than 50 older adults, while the other half had more. The participants had various health issues, such as Parkinson's disease, balance problems, and frailty. The wearable devices used included things like accelerometers (to measure movement), smartwatches, and sensors worn on different parts of the body like the wrist, waist, chest, or feet. These devices were used to track things like walking patterns, daily activities, and how often someone falls. All the AI systems used a type of learning called "supervised learning," where the system improves based on data it is given. Conclusions This review shows that research on AI-powered wearable devices for older adults is still in its early stages. Most studies focused on testing how well these devices work rather than looking at their long-term benefits for improving mobility. The findings highlight the potential for these devices to support older adults, especially those with mobility challenges caused by conditions like Parkinson's or frailty. However, more research is needed to explore how these devices can be used in everyday life and across different groups of people.