Wearable Sensors for the Assessment of Functional Outcome Following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Systematic Scoping Review.

This scoping review assessed the current use of wearable sensors in monitoring recovery following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). A systematic search of electronic databases was undertaken (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science) between 2005 and 2024 following the PRISMA-ScR protocol. Studies were eligible if they were peer reviewed, available in full text, and reported the use of wearable sensors to evaluate shoulder motion or activity in postoperative RSA patients. Fifty-seven studies were identified, of which six met the inclusion criteria. Studies were either focused on assessing shoulder motion (n = 3) or on measuring upper limb activity counts or activity intensities (n = 3); however the calculation of output variables were different across most studies. Sensors were positioned on the operated upper arm in all studies, though sensor placement on the sternum and the wrist varied. Session durations ranged from 24 h to continuous monitoring beyond seven days. Daily wear times were most commonly during full waking hours. The large variation in wearable sensor configuration, testing protocols, and the calculation of output variables limited the comparability across studies. Standardization in sensor protocols and outcomes is required to enable the reliable wearable assessment of postoperative recovery after RSA.