Wearable EEG Devices For Cognitive Monitoring And Diagnosis: A Systematic Review Of Advances, Applications, And Challenges

Abstract

Wearable electroencephalography (EEG) devices have emerged as transformative tools in the fields of cognitive monitoring and neurological diagnosis, offering non-invasive, real-time assessment of brain activity in both clinical and non-clinical environments. Unlike conventional EEG systems that require bulky setups and specialized environments, wearable EEG technologies—ranging from headbands and ear-centered grids to textile-integrated electrodes—enable continuous and unobtrusive brain monitoring, thereby expanding opportunities for early detection, long-term assessment, and personalized interventions in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, epilepsy, and cognitive workload-related disorders. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025, retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science, to critically evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, signal quality, usability, and clinical applicability of wearable EEG devices for cognitive assessment. A total of 78 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing both diagnostic and monitoring applications, with varied methodological approaches ranging from signal processing algorithms and machine learning classifiers to multimodal sensor integration. Findings indicate that wearable EEG systems demonstrate high potential for early-stage cognitive decline detection, real-time workload monitoring, and neurorehabilitation, although challenges remain in artifact reduction, electrode-skin interface stability, and standardization of data interpretation. Moreover, integration with mobile health platforms and cloud-based analytics is accelerating the shift toward patient-centric, home-based neurological care. However, heterogeneity in device specifications, study designs, and cognitive assessment protocols limits cross-study comparability, underscoring the need for standardized validation frameworks and multi-centric trials. The review concludes that while wearable EEG technology is poised to revolutionize cognitive diagnostics and monitoring, future advancements must focus on improving long-term wearability, enhancing signal robustness in real-world environments, and establishing regulatory and ethical guidelines to ensure safe and equitable adoption in both healthcare and everyday life applications.