Textile-based ECG electrodes demonstrate good signal quality and comfort compared to conventional electrodes, particularly in static conditions, though clinical validation remains limited.
Does smart textile-based ECG monitoring provide comparable signal quality and performance to conventional ECG monitoring?
Smart textiles offer a promising approach for continuous ambulatory ECG monitoring with good signal quality in static conditions, though real-world clinical integration requires further validation and standardization.
BACKGROUND Smart textiles offer a promising approach to continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, but their real-world clinical application lags behind basic feasibility studies. This review comprehensively examines the characteristics and performance of current textile-based ECG devices, synthesizing existing evidence and identifying key challenges. While textile-based ECG electrodes demonstrate good signal quality and comfort, particularly in static conditions, integrating this technology into clinical practice requires addressing critical issues: clinical validation, data privacy and security, cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and data interoperability. Successful integration necessitates a collaborative effort encompassing comprehensive evaluation frameworks, regulatory policies, and robust clinical trials. OBJECTIVE This review aims to map the scientific literature on textile-based ECG monitoring systems integrated into clothing and garments. We will comprehensively synthesize evidence from relevant English-language studies with respect to 3 key areas of research in smart textile-based ECG monitoring, namely, comparative signal quality, static and dynamic performance, and user experience. Subsequently, this review will outline current challenges to clinical adoption, integration, and future research directions. METHODS A Scoping Review of the Literature RESULTS While textile-based ECG electrodes demonstrate good signal quality and comfort, particularly in static conditions, integrating this technology into clinical practice requires addressing critical issues: clinical validation, data privacy and security, cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and data interoperability. Successful integration necessitates a collaborative effort encompassing comprehensive evaluation frameworks, regulatory policies, and robust clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS Smart textiles offer the potential for valuable long-term trends in ECG parameters, improving the detection of transient events and reducing intervention times. However, widespread support and adoption within clinical workflows depend on addressing the identified limitations, incorporating user feedback, and demonstrating the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of this technology. Only with reliable and meaningful data can textile-based ECG monitoring serve as a valuable diagnostic tool to guide care and improve treatment decisions. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable
Schuch et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease. Smart textiles for ECG monitoring vs. Conventional gel electrodes was evaluated on Comparative signal quality, static and dynamic performance, and user experience. Textile-based ECG electrodes demonstrate good signal quality and comfort compared to conventional electrodes, particularly in static conditions, though clinical validation remains limited.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: