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Next-generation wearable sensors for type 1 diabetes: between the promise of customization and technological limitations
1, 2 , * 3, 4
1  Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias del Deporte (INCIDE), Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte y laActividad Física, Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Campus Bastiagueiro, 151789 Oleiros, Galicia, España.
2  Universitat Carlemany, Av. Verge de Canòlich, 47 AD600 Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra
3  Universidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Food Group (NuFoG), Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA) – CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
4  Investigaciones Agroalimentarias Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur). SERGAS-UVIGO.
Academic Editor: Jean-marc Laheurte

https://doi.org/10.3390/ECSA-12-26569 (registering DOI)
Abstract:

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management is increasingly enhanced by wearable glucose sensors (WGS) integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) that combine multiple physi-ological parameters—such as heart rate, galvanic skin response, body temperature, and physical activity—to predict glucose fluctuations more accurately. Noninvasive sensor technologies, including optical and sweat-based methods, show promise in reducing patient discomfort but still require further clinical validation to confirm reliability. Recent clinical data demonstrate significant potential for these advanced WGS technologies, with substantial improvements in glycemic control and overall disease management reported among all surveyed patients. Insulin pumps integrated with continuous glucose monitoring form “artificial pancreas” systems that automatically adjust insulin delivery in real time, improving patient convenience and metabolic out-comes. Despite progress, challenges remain related to response latency, device in-teroperability, and adaptation to abrupt physiological changes. According to our results, patient acceptance of WGS-based treatments is high, with nearly all individuals willing to adopt these technologies. Initial reluctance is mostly observed during the first weeks, coinciding with the AI algorithm’s calibration and learning phase; however, adherence increases significantly once this period concludes. In conclusion, these integrated technologies represent a practical shift toward personalized, proactive T1D care. Their successful implementation depends on over-coming technical and ethical challenges while addressing psychological factors such as alert fatigue, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Keywords: Wearable sensors; Type 1 diabetes; Continuous glucose monitoring; Artificial pancreas; Personalized medicine; Digital health

 
 
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