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Table 2 Summary of monitoring technologies per indicator of discomfort

From: Noninvasive monitoring technologies to identify discomfort and distressing symptoms in persons with limited communication at the end of life: a scoping review

Indicator of discomfort

Types of monitoring technologya

Vital signs

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – radar

Arrhythmia

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Consciousness/depth of sedation

Actigraphy

Brain activity monitors—bispectral index scale (BIS)

Brain activity monitors – other electroencephalogram (EEG)-based technologies

Sleep, including sleep disordered breathing

Actigraphy

Brain activity monitors—BIS

Brain activity monitors – other EEG-based technologies

ECG

Multi-modal systemsb – PSG

Multi-modal systemsb – with environmental sensors

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – pressure mats

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – infrared

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – radar

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – multiple sensors

(Risk of) pressure ulcers

Actigraphy

Non-contact monitoring systemsc—pressure mats

Urinary incontinence

Incontinence sensors

Multi-modal systemsb – with environmental sensors

Pain

Brain activity monitors—BIS

Brain activity monitors – other EEG-based technologies

ECG

Electrodermal activity (EDA) monitor

Surface electromyogram (sEMG)

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – video/facial expression analysis

Agitation

Actigraphy

Multi-modal systemsb – with environmental sensors

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – video/facial expression analysis

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – multiple sensors

Anxiety

ECG

Multi-modal systemsb – with environmental sensors

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Stress

Actigraphy

Brain activity monitors – other EEG-based technologies

ECG

EDA monitor

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Significant moments

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Emotions

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – video/facial expression analysis

(Motor subtypes of) delirium

Actigraphy

Brain activity monitors—BIS

Brain activity monitors – other EEG-based technologies

Multi-modal systemsb – with environmental sensors

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

Thermal comfort

Non-contact monitoring systemsc – infrared

Mental fatigue

Multi-modal systemsb – other multi-model systems

  1. aCateogries and subcategories (if applicable) of technologies are presented
  2. bMulti-modal systems use a combination of different technologies within one integrated system or algorithm
  3. cNon-contact monitoring systems use sensors that do not have direct contact with the person being monitored
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BMC Palliative Care

ISSN: 1472-684X

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