A 3-D-Printed Multiparametric Wearable System Based on Fiber Bragg Gratings for Shoulder Movement and Respiratory Rate Monitoring

The shoulder is a highly complex joint, and injuries to this structure can severely impair its functionality, making rehabilitation crucial. Wearable systems offer innovative, noninvasive solutions for accurate and accessible monitoring during rehabilitation. Moreover, the use of multiparametric solutions to monitor both shoulder movements and vital signs—like respiratory rate (RR)—in rehabilitation settings, can enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, improve patient outcomes, and provide valuable insights for both patients and healthcare providers. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology serves as an effective sensing solution for monitoring the mentioned parameters, enabling simultaneous tracking of physiological data and movement progress. In this study, we present an innovative wearable system based on FBG capable of monitoring shoulder movements and RR. The proposed device includes both a 3-D-printed FBG sensor and an anchorage system, designed to ensure comfortable wearability and reduced encumbrance. The system feasibility was assessed on eight healthy subjects to evaluate the wearable device’s performance in monitoring shoulder range of motion (ROM) during flexion/extension (F/E) and movement duration, and RR during slow, normal, and fast breathing. The study results suggest that the proposed device holds the potential to work as a valuable tool in personalized medicine and rehabilitation, offering the promise of enhanced insights and support for patient recovery and care.