The use of wearable sensors to assess and treat the upper extremity after stroke: a scoping review.

This is a scoping review, not a trial; it did not weigh evidence strength or appraise efficacy, so reported accuracies and small treatment effects are not evidence of clinical benefit. The included studies varied widely in sensors, placement, tasks, settings, data processing, and analysis. Direct comparison is difficult. Many studies used standardized tasks or short monitoring periods, and some did not specify stroke phase or sensor details. The review excluded studies that used sensor data to measure treatment outcomes. It cannot summarize whether sensor-based treatment changes recovery. Real-world use metrics based on activity counts or duration can overestimate functional upper extremity motion. People with severe arm impairment were underrepresented. The methods may not detect subtle movement in more affected patients. The review did not include spasticity or impaired energy expenditure as contributors to upper extremity disability.

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Do not read this review as evidence that wearable sensors improve upper extremity recovery. The review mapped studies without weighing evidence strength or appraising efficacy, and the treatment findings came from only five studies.