Real-time tracking and remote monitoring technologies for managing wandering in people with dementia: A systematic review
Xiaoge Li

Date and Time

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Theme / Track

Health, medical and integrated care

Presentation Format

Poster Presentation
Background: Wandering is a common behavioural symptom among people living with dementia (PLwD) and is associated with increased risks of falls, injury, and getting lost. Remote monitoring and real-time tracking technologies have been increasingly developed to support wandering management, but evidence regarding their effectiveness in real-world settings remains limited. Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesise empirical evidence on remote monitoring and real-time tracking technologies used to manage wandering behaviour in people living with dementia and to examine the types of technologies, outcomes assessed, effectiveness, and implementation barriers. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251126889). Six databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, IEEE Xplore, WANFANG) were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eligible studies evaluated monitoring or tracking technologies in real-world dementia care settings. Data were extracted using a predefined form and quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesised narratively. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Four categories of technologies were identified: environmental monitoring systems, wearable sensors, indoor localisation systems, and GPS-based tracking. Outcomes included wandering detection, behaviour measurement, and safety-related indicators. Studies reported promising feasibility and potential benefits for safety and management, but were mostly small-scale with short durations. Conclusions: Monitoring and tracking technologies show potential for supporting wandering management in dementia care. However, evidence remains limited by small samples and short study durations. Further large-scale and longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate effectiveness and real-world implementation. KEYWORDS: dementia; wandering behaviour; remote monitoring; tracking technologies; GPS tracking; wearable sensors; digital health

Keywords

Dementia, Health Management, Implementation, Innovation, Technology

Authors

Associate professor Gary Cheung
Associate professor Jing Sun
PhD candidate Jiaxin Zhu