scholarly journals What do geriatric rehabilitation patients and experts consider relevant? Requirements for a digitalised e-coach for sustainable improvement of nutrition and physical activity in older adults – a qualitative focus group study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Happe ◽  
Andreas Hein ◽  
Rebecca Diekmann
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Geriatric Rehabilitation ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Behaviour

Abstract Background During geriatric rehabilitation, attempts are made to increase the patients’ health and functional capacity. In order to maintain these improvements in the medium- and long-term, behavioural changes regarding mobility and nutrition are also targeted, but these are often not sustainable. International studies show positive effects on the sustainability of the improvement of physical activity behaviour in healthy seniors through the use of electronic devices and software applications. Comparable approaches that include nutrition topics or combine them and were additionally developed for geriatric rehabilitation patients (≥70 years) to date are not known. The aim of this study was to identify what geriatric rehabilitation patients require from an electronic coaching system (e-coach) to support them in improving their nutritional and physical activity behaviour, and what content and features physiotherapists and dieticians consider relevant. Method Focus group interviews (09–11/2019) were conducted in a geriatric rehabilitation centre in Germany with patients aged 70 years and older, relatives and experts (physiotherapists and nutritionists). The focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results Three focus groups with patients and relatives (n = 17, 65% female, 16 (94%) in age category 70–99 years) and one focus group with experts (2 dieticians and 1 physiotherapist) were conducted. Relevant contents and feedback elements for nutrition and physical activity in old age were identified. The patients’ comments show that an e-coach must offer obvious benefits for the older persons and promote motivation in order to be used. The willingness to change nutrition and physical activity behaviour and the previous experiences in these areas are very heterogeneous, therefore content should be adaptable to different requirements. Conclusion Experts and patients identified quite similar contents, barriers and facilitators for a nutrition and physical activity e-coach. The e-coach needs to be able to address different points of behaviour change, enable adaptations to the individual patient and convince the older person that using it will help them to improve their nutrition and physical activity. It is also important that the e-coach is easy to use and can be easily integrated into the patient’s everyday life after rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviour in Dutch Older Adults Living Independently

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein Visser ◽  
Laura A. Schaap ◽  
Hanneke A. H. Wijnhoven
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Behaviour

The aim was to explore the self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and physical activity behaviour in Dutch older adults and to identify subgroups most susceptible to this impact. Participants (N = 1119, aged 62–98 y, 52.8% female) of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam living independently completed a COVID-19 questionnaire. Questions on diagnosis, quarantine and hospitalization were asked, as well as impact of the pandemic on ten nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Associations of pre-COVID-19 assessed characteristics (age, sex, region, household composition, self-rated health, BMI, physical activity, functional limitations) with reported impact were tested using logistic regression analyses. About half of the sample (48.3–54.3%) reported a decrease in physical activity and exercise due to the pandemic. An impact on nutritional behaviour predisposing to overnutrition (e.g., snacking more) was reported by 20.3–32.4%. In contrast, 6.9–15.1% reported an impact on behaviour predisposing to undernutrition (e.g., skipping warm meals). Those who had been in quarantine (n = 123) more often reported a negative impact. Subgroups with higher risk of impact could be identified. This study shows a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and physical activity behaviour of many older adults, which may increase their risk of malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia and disability.

scholarly journals A Focus Group Study Among Inactive Adults Regarding the Perceptions of a Theory-Based Physical Activity App

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicky Nibbeling ◽  
Monique Simons ◽  
Karlijn Sporrel ◽  
Marije Deutekom
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Persuasive Strategies ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Design Characteristics

Background: Despite the increasing attention for the positive effects of physical activity (PA), nearly half of the Dutch citizens do not meet the national PA guidelines. A promising method for increasing PA are mobile exercise applications (apps), especially if they are embedded with theoretically supported persuasive strategies (e.g., goal setting and feedback) that align with the needs and wishes of the user. In addition, it is argued that the operationalization of the persuasive strategies could increase the effectiveness of the app, such as the actual content or visualization of feedback. Although much research has been done to examine the preferences for persuasive strategies, little is known about the needs, wishes, and preferences for the design and operationalization of persuasive strategies.Objective: The purpose of this study was to get insight in the needs, wishes, and preferences regarding the practical operationalization of persuasive strategies in a mobile application aimed at promoting PA in healthy inactive adults.Methods: Five semistructured focus groups were performed. During the focus groups, the participants were led into a discussion about the design and operationalization of six predefined theory-based persuasive strategies (e.g., self-monitoring, feedback, goal setting, reminders, rewards, and social support) directed by two moderators. The audio-recorded focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed following the framework approach.Results: Eight men and 17 women between 35 and 55 years (mean age, 49.2) participated in the study. Outcomes demonstrated diverse preferences for implementation types and design characteristics of persuasive strategies in mobile applications. Basic statistics (such as distance, time and calories), positive feedback based on easy-to-achieve goals that relate to health guidelines, and motivating reminders on a relevant moment were preferred. Participants had mixed preferences regarding rewards and a social platform to invite other users to join PA.Conclusions: Findings indicated that in mHealth applications for healthy but inactive adults, persuasive strategies should be designed and implemented in a way that they relate to health guidelines. Moreover, there is a need for an app that can be adapted or can learn based on personal preferences as, for example, preferences with regard to timing of feedback and reminders differed between people.

scholarly journals A commentary on current practice in mediating variable analyses in behavioural nutrition and physical activity

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1182-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester Cerin ◽  
David P MacKinnon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Mediating Variables ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Behaviour

AbstractObjectiveTo critique current practice in, and provide recommendations for, mediating variable analyses (MVA) of nutrition and physical activity behaviour change.StrategyTheory-based behavioural nutrition and physical activity interventions aim at changing mediating variables that are hypothesized to be responsible for changes in the outcome of interest. MVA are useful because they help to identify the most promising theoretical approaches, mediators and intervention components for behaviour change. However, the current literature suggests that MVA are often inappropriately conducted, poorly understood and inadequately presented. Main problems encountered in the published literature are explained and suggestions for overcoming weaknesses of current practice are proposed.ConclusionThe use of the most appropriate, currently available methods of MVA, and a correct, comprehensive presentation and interpretation of their findings, is of paramount importance for understanding how obesity can be treated and prevented.

Increasing physical activity in cancer survivors using eHealth: A focus group study.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 107-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciaran Haberlin ◽  
Jonathan Moran ◽  
Julie M Broderick ◽  
Dearbhaile M. O'Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Ehealth Intervention

107 Background: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial in reducing disease and treatment related side‐effects of cancer. However, insufficient PA levels are common among cancer survivors. eHealth may offer an innovative delivery platform to support cancer survivors to increase PA. Few qualitative studies have explored the views of cancer survivors towards eHealth based PA interventions. Our aim was to use cancer survivors’ input to inform the design of a feasibility study of eHealth for PA promotion. Methods: A ten-item scoping questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was administered to 102 cancer survivors. It evaluated their knowledge of PA guidelines, their access to smartphones and interest in eHealth interventions designed to increase PA levels. Questions were refined and evaluated in a follow-up focus group study (7 groups, n=23). Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded using NVivo software and themes identified by thematic content analysis. Results: In the questionnaire study, only 17.6% (n=18) of participants correctly identified PA guidelines. Sixty-two (60.8%) participants reported having access to a smartphone. Interest in participating in an eHealth intervention was expressed by 56.9% of all participants (n=58) and by 75.8% (n=47) of those with access to a smartphone. Emergent themes from the focus groups included: the physical barriers to PA, the need for PA goals, the importance of both information from healthcare professionals about PA and of a support network (e.g. peer support), the need for technological support and a motivation to improve general health. Conclusions: Very few cancer survivors were aware of the correct PA guidelines. However, over half of our sample was interested in participating in an eHealth intervention for PA, demonstrating that the cancer survivor population is responsive to a PA program delivered using technology. The focus groups have given us insights about the key elements of an effective PA intervention for cancer survivors using eHealth. We are conducting a feasibility study (The IMPETUS study; NCT03036436) of an eHealth intervention targeting PA in cancer survivors; its design was informed by those insights.

NESTORE Ontology: a Multi-Domain Semantic Tool for the Characterization of Older Adults Status and Behaviour to Promote Healthy Ageing by IoT Systems (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Mastropietro ◽  
Filippo Palumbo ◽  
Silvia Orte ◽  
Michele Girolami ◽  
Francesco Furfari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Activity Behaviour

BACKGROUND The constant progression in number and share of the ageing population will likely have deep effects in most of the industrialized countries. The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm can play a key role in facilitating independent living of the ageing population thus trying to reduce the burden on the society. Considering that ageing is a multi-factorial physiological process, the development of novel IoT systems, tools and devices, specifically targeted to older people, must be based on a holistic framework built on robust scientific knowledge in different scientific domains. OBJECTIVE A novel semantic formalization was developed, based on a multidomain healthy ageing model, to support structuring and standardizing heterogeneous scientific knowledge about ageing. The main aim of the paper is to present the new NESTORE ontology, with the purpose thus extending the available ontologies provided by universAAL-IoT (uAAL-IoT). METHODS Well-assessed scientific knowledge, specifically selected to target older adults aged between 65 and 75, was formalized into a holistic model using a multi-domain approach including three main different dimensions related to well-being: (i) Physiological Status and Physical Activity Behaviour, (ii) Nutrition, and (iii) Cognitive and Mental Status and Social Behaviour. Based on this model, within the NESTORE H2020 project, a new ontology was developed in the uAAL-IoT framework, which provides modelling tools and a set of core ontologies. RESULTS The NESTORE ontologies cover all the needed concepts to represent 5 significant domains of ageing. In total, 12 sub-ontologies were modelled with more than 60 classes and sub-classes referenced among them by using more than 100 relations and around 20 enumerations. NESTORE increases the uAAL ontologies collection by 40% and expand the uAAL domain usage for Physiological Status and Physical Activity Behaviour (8 ontologies), Nutrition (3 ontologies) and Cognitive and Mental Status and Social Behaviour (4 ontologies). CONCLUSIONS NESTORE ontology provides innovation both in terms of semantic content and technological approach. The thoroughly use of this ontology can support the development of a decision support system, to promote healthy ageing, with the capacity to do dynamic multi-scale modelling of user-specific data based on the semantic annotations of users’ profile.

scholarly journals Development of a hybrid sleep and physical activity improvement intervention for adults with osteoarthritis-related pain and sleep disturbance: a focus group study with potential users

2021 ◽  
pp. 204946372110260
Author(s):  
Daniel Whibley ◽  
Kevin Stelfox ◽  
Alasdair L Henry ◽  
Nicole KY Tang ◽  
Anna L Kratz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Intervention Component ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Improvement Intervention

Objective: Suboptimal sleep and physical activity are common among people living with osteoarthritis (OA) and simultaneous improvements in both may have a beneficial impact on pain. This study aimed to gather perspectives of people living with OA on important aspects to incorporate in a hybrid sleep and physical activity improvement intervention for OA pain management. Design: Qualitative study using two rounds of two focus groups. Setting and participants: Focus groups were conducted with adults living with OA-related chronic pain and sleep disturbances. Eighteen people attended focus groups in January 2020 and, of these, 16 attended subsequent focus groups in February 2020. Methods: Discussion at the first round of focus groups informed generation of prototype intervention materials that were shared, discussed and refined at the second round of focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes from the data. Results: Three themes, each with three sub-themes, were identified: facilitators of engagement with the intervention (sub-themes: motivational language, accountability and education); barriers to engagement (sub-themes: suboptimal interaction with healthcare practitioners, recording behaviour as burdensome/disruptive and uncertainty about technique) and characteristics of a physical activity intervention component (sub-themes: tailored, sustainable and supported). Conclusion: We have identified important aspects to incorporate into the design and delivery of a hybrid sleep and physical activity improvement intervention for OA pain management. Insights will be incorporated into intervention materials and protocols, with feasibility and acceptability assessed in a future study.

scholarly journals Effects of a structured counselling-based intervention to improve physical activity behaviour of adolescents and young adult cancer survivors – the randomized phase II Motivate AYA – MAYA trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921552199797
Author(s):  
Jannike Salchow ◽  
Barbara Koch ◽  
Julia Mann ◽  
Julia von Grundherr ◽  
Simon Elmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Young Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Young Adult Cancer ◽  
Activity Behaviour

Objective: To explore whether a structured counselling-based intervention increases vigorous physical activity behaviour of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Design: Randomized controlled phase II trial. Setting: University Cancer Center Hamburg, Germany. Subjects: Eighty-nine participants (mean age 24.1 ± 6.3) were randomized to control ( n = 44) or intervention group ( n = 45). Interventions: The intervention group was consulted about physical activity behaviour via interview (week 0), and telephone counselling (weeks 1, 3 and 12). The control group only received general physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors (week 0). Main measures: The primary outcome was the rate of participants with ⩾9 metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week of vigorous activity post-intervention, measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included assessing physical activity behaviour (e.g. amount and type of physical activity) and quality of life. Assessments were completed in weeks 0 (baseline), 12 (post-intervention) and 52 (follow-up). Results: Sixty-nine participants completed the post-intervention- and 47 the follow-up-assessment. The rate of participants performing vigorous physical activity increased from baseline to post-intervention for both without differing significantly ( P = 0.541). Both increased their total metabolic equivalent from baseline to post-intervention (intervention group from 55.2 ± 43.7 to 61.7 ± 29.4, control group from 75.3 ± 81.4 to 88.3 ± 80.2). At follow-up the intervention group (73.7 ± 80.2) was more active than baseline when compared to the control group (78.5 ± 50.0). Conclusions: A structured counselling-based physical activity intervention did not significantly impact the level of vigorous physical activity behaviour in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

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