mHealth wearables have often focused on watches, wristbands and jewelry. Now the spotlight is shining on sensor-embedded clothing that can help providers track movement and other health data.

The mHealth wearables industry has long been focused on activity bands and watches, even jewelry and smartglasses. Often overlooked is the concept of sensor-embedded clothing, but that form factor is now seeing interest from care providers who want a better way to monitor health on the move.

At Modesto Junior College in California, Jamie Derollo, an athletic trainer and the school’s director of sports medicine, is using a sensor-embedded sleeve to help athletes recover from injuries. The sleeve, developed by Denver-based Cipher Skin, helps her track arm movement and design a care plan around mobility exercises.

But that sleeve offers more opportunities. Along with tracking motion, the sensors gather biometric data that is then integrated into a telehealth platform, allowing care providers like Derollo to track not only physical performance but clinical outcomes.

“I’m just getting started, but there are a lot of possibilities with this,” she says. “It gives me insight and data that I haven’t had before.”

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