Evolutionary trajectory and knowledge structure of wearable devices for health management: A bibliometric analysis (1997-2025).

Abstract

To deconstruct the evolutionary trajectory and intellectual structure of wearable devices for health management. The study executed a systematic bibliometric analysis of 2,463 high-quality publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (1997-2025). The findings reveal that the field entered an exponential growth phase post-2018, anchored by a bipolar dominance of the USA and China. While academic institutions drive innovation, the global collaborative network remains structurally fragmented. There were 637 keywords in total, key themes include "digital health," "wearable devices," "physical activity," "artificial intelligence." Research hotspots have crystallized around three strategic pillars: high-fidelity physiological sensing, AI-driven intelligent analytics, and clinical translation for proactive health. Furthermore, frontier trends indicate a critical pivot from generalized monitoring to the precision management of specific pathologies (e.g., cardiovascular diseases) and a technological shift toward energy-autonomous systems, by elucidating the pathway from technological incubation to clinical application. This study offers empirical evidence and strategic insights to guide future interdisciplinary synergy and the construction of interoperable data ecosystems for precision health management.