The Use and Utility of Wearable Devices for Tracking Sleep and Activity in Inpatient Mental Health Settings: Protocol for a Rapid Review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Wearable devices offer an opportunity objectively monitor and capture sleep and activity in psychiatric inpatient settings, where traditional approaches often rely on subjective reporting or staff observation which have inherent flaws. Technologies such as Fitbit, Garmin, Oura Ring, GENEActiv, Empatica, and WHOOP (among others) have been used to passively collect physiological data that may inform care planning and clinical decision-making. Despite growing interest, the extent to which these wearables are feasible, acceptable, and useful in inpatient mental health settings remains unclear. Synthesizing this evidence OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to conduct a rapid review to examine the current use, utility, feasibility, and implementation of wearable devices for tracking sleep and/or activity in inpatient mental health settings. METHODS A rapid review will be conducted using Cochrane Rapid Review methods. Peer-reviewed literature will be searched in four databases: 1) Pubmed, 2) Embase, 3) PsycINFO, and 4) CINAHL. Studies will be included if they report on the use of wearable devices in inpatient psychiatric settings and evaluate outcomes related to feasibility, acceptability, clinical utility, or implementation. Data extraction will be conducted using a standardized extraction template, and findings will be synthesized narratively and via descriptive statistics. RESULTS Database searches are currently underway. The review is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025. A manuscript detailing the findings of this review will be published thereafter. CONCLUSIONS This rapid review will provide timely evidence to support the integration of wearable technologies into psychiatric inpatient settings. Findings will inform future research and clinical practice focused on the use of wearables for sleep and activity monitoring, contributing to more responsive and data informed mental health care.