scholarly journals Accelerometery as a measure of modifiable physical activity in high-risk elderly preoperative patients: a prospective observational pilot study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e032346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Grimes ◽  
Joanne G Outtrim ◽  
Simon J Griffin ◽  
Ari Ercole
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Wear Time ◽  
Patient Reported

ObjectivesTo use wrist-worn accelerometers (Axivity AX3) to establish normative physical activity (PA) and acceptability data for the high-risk elderly preoperative population, to assess whether PA could be modified by a prehabilitation intervention as part of routine care, to assess any correlation between accelerometer-measured PA and self-reported PA and to assess the acceptability of wearing wrist-worn accelerometers in this population.Study designProspective, observational, pilot study.SettingSingle National Health Service Hospital.ParticipantsFrail patients≥65 years awaiting major surgery referred to a multidisciplinary preoperative clinic at which they received a routine intervention aimed at improving their PA. 35 patients were recruited. Average age 79.9 years (SD=5.6).Primary outcomesNormative PA data measured as a mean daily Euclidean norm minus one (ENMO) in milli-gravitational units (mg).Secondary outcomesMeasure PA levels (mg) following a routine preoperative intervention. Determine correlation between patient-reported PA (measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) and accelerometer-measured PA (mg). Assess acceptability of wearing a wrist-worn accelerometer measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire and device wear time (hours).ResultsMedian baseline daily PA was 14.3 mg(IQR 9.75–22.04) with an improvement in PA detected following the intervention (median ENMO post intervention 20.91 mg(IQR 14.83–27.53), p=0.022). There was no significant correlation between accelerometer-measured and self-reported PA (baselineρ=0.162 (p=0.4), post interventionρ=−0.144 (p=0.5)). We found high acceptability ratings (median score of 10/10 on VAS, IQR 8–10) and wear-time compliance (163.2 hours (IQR 150–167.5) preintervention and 166.1 hours (IQR 162.5–167) post intervention).ConclusionsAccelerometery is acceptable to this population and increases in PA levels measured following an unoptimised routine clinical intervention which indicates that health behavioural change interventions may be successful during the preoperative period. Accelerometers may therefore be a useful tool to design and validate interventions for improving PA in this setting.Trial registration numberNCT03737903.

scholarly journals Promotion of active ageing through interactive artificial agents in a smart environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Menezes ◽  
Rui P. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Training System ◽  
Regular Physical Activity ◽  
List Type ◽  
Multi Agent System ◽  
Agent System ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Elderly Users

Abstract Societies in the most developed countries have witnessed a significant ageing of the population in recent decades, which increases the demand for healthcare services and caregivers. The development of technologies to help the elderly, so that they can remain active and independent for a longer time, helps to mitigate the sustainability problem posed in care services. This article follows this new trend, proposing a multi-agent system composed of a smart camera network, centralised planning agent, a virtual coach, and robotic exercise buddy, designed to promote regular physical activity habits among the elderly. The proposed system not only persuades the users to perform exercise routines, but also guides and accompanies them during exercises in order to provide effective training and engagement to the user. The different agents are combined in the system to exploit their complementary features in the quest for an effective and engaging training system. Three variants of the system, involving either a partial set of those agents or the full proposed system, were evaluated and compared through a pilot study conducted with 12 elderly users. The results demonstrate that all variants are able to guide the user in an exercise routine, but the most complete system that includes a robotic exercise buddy was the best scored by the participants. Article Highlights Proposal of a multi-agent system to help elderly adopting regular physical activity habits. A virtual coach and a robotic exercise buddy provide both guidance and companionship during the exercise. A pilot study conducted with 12 elderly users demonstrated an effective and engaging training system.

scholarly journals Sleep Tracking and Exercise in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Step-D): Pilot Study to Determine Correlations Between Fitbit Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Weatherall ◽  
Yurek Paprocki ◽  
Theresa M Meyer ◽  
Ian Kudel ◽  
Edward A Witt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Patient Reported

BACKGROUND Few studies assessing the correlation between patient-reported outcomes and patient-generated health data from wearable devices exist. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the direction and magnitude of associations between patient-generated health data (from the Fitbit Charge HR) and patient-reported outcomes for sleep patterns and physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS This was a pilot study conducted with adults diagnosed with T2DM (n=86). All participants wore a Fitbit Charge HR for 14 consecutive days and completed internet-based surveys at 3 time points: day 1, day 7, and day 14. Patient-generated health data included minutes asleep and number of steps taken. Questionnaires assessed the number of days of exercise and nights of sleep problems per week. Means and SDs were calculated for all data, and Pearson correlations were used to examine associations between patient-reported outcomes and patient-generated health data. All respondents provided informed consent before participating. RESULTS The participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean 54.3, SD 13.3 years), white (80/86, 93%), and female (50/86, 58%). Use of oral T2DM medication correlated with the number of mean steps taken (r=.35, P=.001), whereas being unaware of the glycated hemoglobin level correlated with the number of minutes asleep (r=−.24, P=.04). On the basis of the Fitbit data, participants walked an average of 4955 steps and slept 6.7 hours per day. They self-reported an average of 2.0 days of exercise and 2.3 nights of sleep problems per week. The association between the number of days exercised and steps walked was strong (r=.60, P<.001), whereas the association between the number of troubled sleep nights and minutes asleep was weaker (r=.28, P=.02). CONCLUSIONS Fitbit and patient-reported data were positively associated for physical activity as well as sleep, with the former more strongly correlated than the latter. As extensive patient monitoring can guide clinical decisions regarding T2DM therapy, passive, objective data collection through wearables could potentially enhance patient care, resulting in better patient-reported outcomes.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND BEHAVIOR IN THE ELDERLY: A PILOT STUDY

2004 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. LANDI ◽  
A. RUSSO ◽  
R. BERNABEI
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals An Online Physical Activity Intervention for Youth With Physical Disabilities: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu Sharma ◽  
Amy E. Latimer-Cheung ◽  
John Cairney ◽  
Kelly P. Arbour-Nicitopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Implementation Fidelity ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Feedback Questionnaire

Background: Physical activity (PA) interventions are limited in number and reach for youth with physical disabilities (YPD) who experience systemic barriers that may preclude their in-person participation. Further, a lack of theory in the development and evaluation of PA interventions impedes our understanding and replication of active components of behavior change. These limitations pose challenges in the effective promotion of PA in YPD. Theory-based and more inclusive methods of PA intervention delivery must be explored in our efforts to promote PA and overall health in YPD.Methods: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of an online, 4-week social cognitive theory-based PA intervention for YPD. Intervention feasibility (implementation fidelity, intervention compliance, and intervention acceptability) was evaluated through manual documentation, weekly feedback questionnaires, and open-ended feedback at 1-month post-intervention. Targeted social cognitive (outcome expectations, self-efficacy [task, self-regulatory, barrier] and self-regulation) and PA behavior outcomes were self-reported at baseline and 1-week and 1-month post-intervention.Results: Sixteen YPD (Mage = 17.4 ± 2.7 years, 69% female) completed the study. Intervention feasibility was supported by high implementation fidelity (100%), high intervention compliance (&gt;90%), and positive ratings on indicators of acceptability for all weeks of the intervention (weekly feedback questionnaire means ranging from 5.74 to 6.19 out of 7). Through open-ended feedback, participants indicated the intervention was easy to use and understand, favorably shifted their self-awareness and personal meaning of PA, and provided value and potential for future use pertaining to the learned self-regulation skills and strategies. Participants also provided formatting and content recommendations for intervention improvement. Repeated measures ANOVAs showed significant and large effect sizes for changes in participants' task (p = 0.01, n2p = 0.28) and barrier (p = 0.02, n2p = 0.24) self-efficacy, goal-setting and planning and scheduling behaviors (ps &lt; 0.001, n2ps = 0.42), and self-reported PA behavior (p = 0.02, n2p = 0.26).Conclusions: An online PA intervention for YPD is feasible and may offer potential benefit through the enhancement of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and PA behavior. Continued research is necessary to understand the efficacy and longer-term outcomes of online, theory-based interventions for YPD as a PA promotion strategy.

Pilot study investigating an oncofertility program in adults with breast or sarcoma cancers.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23096-e23096
Author(s):  
Manali A. Bhave ◽  
Fang Fang ◽  
Kelley M. Kidwell ◽  
Gloria Lola Smith ◽  
Rashmi Chugh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Patient Navigator ◽  
Provider Education ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Patient Reported

e23096 Background: Cancer survival is at an all-time high; however, patients often face long-term consequences including infertility. Loss of fertility can be devastating and lead to long-lasting emotional distress. Despite consensus guidelines encouraging providers to discuss infertility risk and refer for fertility preservation (FP) consultations, fertility counseling and FP occur in only 10-29% of patients of childbearing age. A few identified barriers include lack of provider knowledge on FP, constraints on time and lack of available resources. Methods: This is a prospective pilot study evaluating the efficacy of an oncofertility program in increasing discussions on infertility risk and FP between providers and patients. The oncofertility program includes medical provider education, an electronic medical record (EMR)-based best practice alert with smart order set, patient education pamphlets and a patient navigator through Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Our primary objective was to increase documentation on fertility in the EMR, while our secondary objective was to increase referrals to REI for females and orders for semen cryopreservation for males. Provider and patient-reported outcomes were also obtained. Results: 19 patients with a new diagnosis of breast or sarcoma (7 pre-intervention and 12 post-intervention) were enrolled and 17 providers participated in the study at the University of Michigan. There was no change in documentation on fertility in the EMR and no increase in fertility referrals placed. However, patients reported a statistically significant change in amount of information provided on infertility risk and FP from "too little" to "the right amount." Providers also reported increased confidence in initiating a conversation about FP and a trend towards increased comfort documenting their conversations on FP in the EMR. Conclusions: With an increase in cancers diagnosed in young adults, there is a need to improve counseling on the risk of infertility with cancer treatment and FP options. Through an easily implemented oncofertility program, we were able to improve medical provider confidence in initiating this important conversation, provide patients with education on infertility risk and FP and streamline the process for FP referrals utilizing the EMR.

Perceived Benefits, Barriers and Facilitators of a Digital Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) Tool in Routine Diabetes Care: A National Multi-Center Mixed-Method Pilot Study (M-PRODIA). (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soren E. Skovlund ◽  
Antonio Nicolucci ◽  
Nina Balk-Moeller ◽  
Dorthe B. Berthelsen ◽  
Charlotte Glümer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Real World ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Patient Reported

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that digital patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires and PRO-based decision support tools may help improve the active engagement of People with Diabetes (PWD) in their own care and improve the quality of care. However, many barriers exist for the implementation and real-world effectiveness of such PRO tools in routine care, and limited research has evaluated their acceptability, feasibility, and benefits across different healthcare settings. OBJECTIVE This pilot study aims to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and perceived benefits of the Danish digital PRO diabetes tool in different healthcare settings in Denmark and factors affecting implementation. Furthermore, the study will evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Danish PRO diabetes questionnaire and the validity of the scoring algorithms for dialogue support. The purpose of the study is to guide ongoing optimization of the PRO diabetes tool, implementation, and design of future randomized controlled effectiveness studies. METHODS A multi-center, mixed-method, single-arm pilot acceptability-feasibility implementation study protocol was designed to contribute to the real-world pilot test of a new digital PRO diabetes tool in routine diabetes care. The use of the tool involves two main steps. In the first step, the PWD completes a digital PRO diabetes questionnaire in the days prior to a routine diabetes visit covering multiple topics such as psychological well-being, social support, daily life with diabetes, self-management symptoms, medicine experience, and personal priorities. In the second step, the health care professional (HCP) uses a digital PRO tool to review the PRO results together with PWD during the visit. The PRO diabetes tool is designed to facilitate an active role for the PWD in his/her own care and facilitate delivery of person-centered, collaborative, and coordinated care. The aim is to recruit a minimum of 500 PWD and 30 HCPs (nurses, physicians, dietitians, and physiotherapists) with multiple sites representing municipality-based diabetes rehabilitation and education services, specialized outpatient hospital-based diabetes care and primary practice respectively. Both qualitative and quantitative data are collected and used for mixed-method analysis using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) framework. PWD complete Likert-scale evaluation questionnaires after self-completing the PRO questionnaire and after their diabetes visit, and a subset take part in structured interviews for 30-45 minutes after their visit. HCPs complete evaluation questionnaires and free-text forms after each diabetes visit and take part in semi-structured 4-5 hour workshops evaluating their experience with PRO. Each site completes center evaluation forms regarding resources and organization as well as approaches to PRO and person-centered care. Mixed-method evaluative and exploratory analyses will be used to characterize primary outcomes. Qualitative and quantitative analyses will be applied to examine associations between the use and impacts of PRO and individual, HCP, and center factors. RESULTS A multi-center pilot study protocol and digital data collection tools for evaluation were developed and deployed as part of a national evaluation of a new digital PRO diabetes intervention CONCLUSIONS A large-scale mixed-method multi-center study to evaluate the use of the nationally developed PRO diabetes questionnaire in routine care across all health care sectors in Denmark using the RE-AIM model as framework has been designed and is ongoing. More than 550 people with diabetes and 31 health professionals have completed the study at this time. The study is expected to provide new important and detailed information the real-world acceptability and perceived relevance and benefits of the PRO diabetes tool among a large heterogenous population of people with diabetes in Denmark and HCP in different care settings. The results will be used to further improve the PRO tool, design implementation facilitation support strategies and future effectiveness research.

scholarly journals Role and efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa La Rovere ◽  
Egidio Traversi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure

Despite improvements in treatments, the prognosis of heart failure remains poor. Elderly patients with heart failure are burdened with multiple co-morbidities and polypharmacy. Multidisciplinary disease-management programs are recommended as standard care for patients at high risk of hospitalization. Cardiac rehabilitation is defined a coordinated multidimensional intervention that integrates the basic elements in multidisciplinary management programs with a continuing program of physical activity and exercise training. Cardiac rehabilitation services can be provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis according to the clinical characteristics and severity of the disease. Data support the usefulness of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation interventions soon after hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure as a “transition care service” to overcome the particularly high risk “vulnerable” phase. Although in the elderly, physical activity is conditioned by the general clinical conditions, the presence of comorbidities and frailty, several data underscore the importance of improving exercise capacity in the elderly vulnerable patient.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Telehealth Intervention on Activity Profiles in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Johnson ◽  
Adam Bradley ◽  
Lukus Klawitter ◽  
Jane Johnson ◽  
Lance Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Computer Time ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Telehealth Intervention ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Background: Physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health concern for older adults. Telehealth presents a safe platform for conducting health-related interventions that may have additional benefits such as widespread reach. Our pilot study sought to examine how a telehealth intervention changed activity profiles in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: There were n = 13 adults aged 70.6 ± 4.5 years that participated in a 6 week telehealth intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The didactic intervention contents were shared online, and participants worked with trained interviewers over the telephone to discuss physical activity. At baseline and post-intervention, the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults examined activity profiles, while accelerometry estimated time spent sedentary and in physical activity. Results: Relative to the baseline measures, there was an 88 min/day (95% confidence interval (CI): 39, 137) increase in computer time and 36 min/day (CI: 10, 62) reduction in time spent in active transport at post-intervention. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation also increased by an estimated 2 min/day (CI: −21, 26) and 12 min/week (CI: −154, 180), but this trend was not statistically significant. Conclusion: We recommend that support be provided to older adults transitioning to telehealth, especially as migration to telehealth progresses.

scholarly journals A 12-week primary prevention programme and its effect on health outcomes (the Sweet Hearts biokinetics pilot study)

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
R Evans ◽  
D Hume ◽  
M Noorbhai ◽  
HG Rauch ◽  
N Van der Schyff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Physiological Tests

Background: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and physical inactivity are concerning within the South African population. To address these concerns, the ‘Strategic Plan for Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2017’ was developed. In response to this plan, a 12-week pilot biokinetics community health programme, Sweet Hearts, was initiated. Methods: This study is a prospective pilot study evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention. Twenty- five individuals participated in the intervention. Ten participants performed a battery of physiological tests pre and post intervention and 5 participants completed an email-based survey post intervention. The setting of the study was Tramway Football Club, Southfield, Cape Town, South Africa. The Sweet Hearts intervention was designed to promote physical activity and healthy nutritional habits in those who participated. A total of 27 exercise sessions consisting of cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility training were conducted. Brief-behavioural counselling was integrated into exercise sessions. Results: The intervention group had a high attrition rate with >50% of participants not presenting for post-intervention testing. Results were evident despite a limited sample size. There were significant improvements in health outcome measures among participants who did attend all testing sessions. These improvements included: an increase in Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) score (p = 0.03), 12- minute walk distance (p = 0.01), sit-to-stand test repetitions (p = 0.001), and a decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.01). Improvements were also noted in self-reported eating restraint (p = 0.03). Five main themes were structured into post intervention surveys: 1) enjoyment of the intervention, 2) benefits of the intervention, 3) obstacles affecting adherence, 4) future improvements to the intervention, and 5) state of non-communicable diseases in South Africa. Conclusion: The results of the Sweet Hearts intervention demonstrate the difficulty and importance of maintaining adherence to a community health intervention. The favourable results of the small sample size demonstrate the potential benefit of biokinetics-based programmes in the public health sector; and provide proof of concept for the dedication of resources towards health promotion within a community setting. 

scholarly journals Pilot Study about a Multifactorial Intervention Programme in Older Adults with Technological Devices Based on GeriaTIC Project

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
María del Carmen Miranda-Duro ◽  
Laura Nieto-Riveiro ◽  
Thais Pousada García
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multifactorial Intervention ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Residential Center ◽  
Quasi Experimental

This pilot study was carried out with a sample of six older persons in a residential center in A Coruña. It is a “quasi-experimental” study, directed to assess the effect of an intervention on a given population, performing “pre” and “post” intervention measurements, but without comparison with a control group. The multifactorial intervention had a duration of 3 months, which includes the use of technological devices, like a wristband of physical activity and sleep.

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