Wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches can help people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis manage symptoms, track their activity, and improve their overall health.

A diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) can bring on a lot of uncertainty. This chronic (long-term) condition occurs when your immune system attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord, making them work less well over time.

It’s not clear why this condition develops. When living with PPMS, you may experience fatigue, vision changes, and weakness that can worsen over time. But each person with PPMS experiences it differently. In some, the condition gets worse quickly, and in others it progresses more slowly.

Some people who have MS can remain active and mobile for years, while others may experience a significant decrease in mobility within the first few months after diagnosis. Research has found that exercise can help manage many MS symptoms and might also help improve cognitive function (thinking ability and memory).

Wearable devices are a growing part of the fitness market.

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), an estimated 534.6 million wearables were shipped globally in 2024 — almost 28 times the number shipped in 2014. This number is expected to grow even more by 2028, showing that wearables have become a regular part of daily life for many people.

This rapid growth in the use of wearables isn’t just about fitness tracking or smartwatches. People are also using wearables to monitor their heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep quality. And wearables are changing the way people living with MS can monitor their symptoms and mobility.

Wearable devices are portable gadgets that allow you to track, manage, and understand your overall health.

Most wearable devices sync with mobile apps or websites to track and record statistics and habits. They can monitor everything from the number of steps you take to your sleep patterns to how many calories you eat.

Here are some examples of the available types of wearable devices and what they do:

  • Fitness trackers: monitor steps, activity levels, sleep quality, and heart rate
  • Smartwatches: combine health tracking with features such as notifications, calls, and GPS
  • Smart rings: offer discreet tracking of sleep, heart rate, and readiness levels
  • Wearable ECG monitors: can detect irregular heart rhythms and share results with your doctor
  • Smart clothing or patches: track muscle activity, hydration, posture, and body temperature
  • Wearable glucose monitors: track blood sugar levels in real time (often as part of diabetes management)

While physical activity and mobility are important for everyone, they’re especially important when you have MS. But staying active can be challenging because fatigue and loss of mobility are two of the most common symptoms of MS.

People with MS might assume they’re getting more or less exercise than they actually are. That’s where wearables come in. These devices can help people with and without MS more accurately monitor their fitness levels.

One of the advantages of wearable devices is their ability to track health goals 24/7.

These devices go beyond what doctors and rehabilitation specialists see when people are in their offices for appointments. People with PPMS can share their health statistics and measures from wearable devices with their doctors, and this data may prove helpful to researchers.

Some newer devices can also detect when someone has taken a hard fall. Depending on the situation, if the person doesn’t get up shortly afterward, the device may notify family or emergency responders.

Deciding which wearable to buy is a matter of personal preference, needs, and lifestyle. But that doesn’t make the decision any easier!

Most are worn around your wrist, but newer options include rings, patches, and even smart clothing. Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung, and Xiaomi are considered the most successful fitness tracker and smartwatch brands. Wearable devices from these brands are known for their wide range of features and health monitoring capabilities.

With so many options available, it’s crucial to think about what you need from a device before choosing one. Consider your goals, preferences, and budget.

You can ask yourself the following questions to find the right fit and style for you:

  • What do you want to track? Do you want to know your daily steps, or do you want to monitor your sleep, heart rate, or stress levels?
  • Do you prefer automatic or manual syncing? Some devices sync automatically with your smartphone or cloud accounts, while others call for manual syncing. If you’re not tech-savvy, automatic syncing may be better.
  • Do you want to be part of a community? Some trackers come with built-in social features or access to online communities for challenges and motivation.
  • How much are you willing to spend? Costs can vary depending on accuracy, features, battery life, and brand reputation. Try to choose one that fits your preferences and your budget.
  • Will your health insurance cover part or all of the cost or offer any discounts for using a wearable? Some insurance plans or employers may help pay for a wearable or give rewards for using one.
  • How important are style and comfort? You’ll likely be wearing the device every day, so make sure it fits well and matches your style preferences.
  • Do you want medical-grade or casual health data? Some wearables have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for measuring heart rhythm and oxygen levels, while other devices focus more on general health.
  • Is it compatible with your smartphone or apps? Check to make sure the device works with the operating system you use (e.g., iOS, Android, or another platform).

Answering these questions can help make the decision a little easier.

“Consumer devices can measure number of steps, distance walked, and sleep quality on a continuous basis in a person’s home environment. These data could provide potentially important information to supplement office visit exams.”

—Richard Rudick, MD

Wearable devices do more than count steps. If you have MS, they can be powerful tools to help you track your mobility and fatigue.

Choosing the right device can make it easier for you to stay active, monitor your symptoms, and feel more in control of your health journey. Wearables can also provide real-time insights that support more informed conversations about your health with your doctor.

You can talk with a healthcare professional about which wearable features might best support your MS care and help you confidently track your health.