Bibliometric study on scientific productivity in the use of smart bracelets

Eur J Transl Myol. 2023 Oct 10;33(4):11572. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2023.11572.

Abstract

In recent years, wearable sensors and mHealth applications are becoming an important part for recording and monitoring health parameters. The aim is to characterize bibli-ometric indicators on scientific productivity in the use of smart bracelets according to scientific journal, study topic and publication trend. A bibliometric study was per-formed. The data extracted from the articles were: year of publication, name of the journal, language of publication, country, type of study and subject matter. A total of 45 studies were identified (21 cross-sectional and 24 experimental), of which 43 were published in English, one in Spanish and one in German. A total of 32 scientific journals published eight research topics related to smartwatch use [active living with 17 studies (37.8%), followed by stress and anxiety with 7 studies (15.6%), nanogenerators (batteries) with 6 studies (13.3%), computing with 5 studies (11.1%), chronic diseases 4 studies (8.9%), COVID propagation 3 studies (6.7%), energy expenditure 2 studies (4.4%) and occupational health 1 study (2.2%)]. The journal Sensors (Basel) published the most articles in the last 6 years (n=7, 16%). The scientific productivity of both study types reflects a positive trend (cross-sectional studies R2= 0.82 and in experimental studies R2= 0.76). A total of 45 cross-sectional and experimental studies using smart-watches were verified in eight different study topics. The most investigated category was active living and the journal that published the highest number of articles was the journal Sensors (Basel).

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by the Vice-Rector for Research of the Catholic University of Santa María to the project "Development of a quantitative tool for the evaluation of motor competence using wearable technology in schoolchildren in the province of Arequipa"