AAN

AAN releases guidance on consumer wearables in neurological care

March 16, 2026

The American Academy of Neurology published guidance on non–FDA-cleared wearable technology for neurological care, examining devices like smart watches and fitness trackers. These consumer devices show promise for monitoring conditions including atrial fibrillation (associated with stroke risk), epilepsy, headaches, and sleep disorders. Wearables can detect seizures, identify symptom triggers, and provide continuous health data that may enable more personalized treatment approaches. However, significant limitations exist. Devices may produce inaccurate readings, cause patient anxiety through false alerts, and raise data privacy concerns. Cost disparities and incomplete data access also pose challenges.

Clinical takeaway: When patients present wearable device data, review it thoughtfully while discussing the technology's limitations, potential for false results, and need for confirmatory testing before making clinical decisions.

Sources:

(2026, March 11). AAN. AAN issues guidance on the use of wearable devices [Press Release]. https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5326

Benish SM, et al. (2026, April 14). Neurology. Wearable Technology and Its Role in Neurologic Care: Emerging Issues in Neurology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41812085/