Flexible and wearable sensors have emerged as transformative technologies in the field of real-time health monitoring, offering non-invasive, continuous, and personalized healthcare solutions. These devices are designed to conform intimately to the human body, enabling seamless detection of vital physiological and biochemical signals under dynamic conditions. Recent advancements in material science and device engineering have led to the development of sensors with enhanced sensitivity, biocompatibility, and wearability, addressing the growing demand for preventive healthcare and remote patient monitoring. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in flexible wearable sensors, including novel materials, sensor designs, and system integration strategies. It begins by surveying the latest advances in substrate and functional materials and hybrid structures that enable mechanical flexibility, skin conformability, and high sensitivity. The review then examines various sensor mechanisms and their implementation in monitoring vital signs, physical activity, and chronic diseases. Real-world applications are explored in depth, covering scenarios from cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring to motion tracking and rehabilitation support. Despite the significant strides made, challenges related to material robustness, sensor accuracy, and multi-modal integration remain, and this review discusses these challenges alongside potential future directions for enhancing the functionality and adoption of flexible wearable sensor systems.
Cheng et al. (2025) studied this question.