scholarly journals Use of a technology-based system to motivate older adults in performing physical activity: a feasibility study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Abstract Background Maintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults.Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals.Results A total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres.Conclusions This study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults.Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000A39C&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0003E6F&ts=37&cx=2jhfvs

scholarly journals Use of a technology-based system to motivate older adults in performing physical activity: a feasibility study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Abstract BackgroundMaintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults. MethodsA mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals. ResultsA total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres. ConclusionsThis study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults.

scholarly journals Use of a technology-based system to motivate older adults in performing physical activity: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Link Type ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Abstract Background Maintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults. Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20–30 min test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals. Results A total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age = 81.19 (SD = 8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres. Conclusions This study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Use of a Technology-based System to Motivate Aged Persons in Performing Physical Activity: A Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Free System ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
System Usability

Abstract BackgroundMaintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate aged persons to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in aged persons, 2) motivating to perform PA by aged persons, and 3) easy to be used in aged persons. MethodsA mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the aged participants. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and supervisors. ResultsA total of 48 aged persons (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve supervisors gave feedback regarding the i-ACT systems itself, the use and motivational aspects. ConclusionsThis study indicates that i-ACT is a useful and motivational system to engage aged persons to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Furthermore, i-ACT is a low-cost, easy to use and controller/wire-free system, which makes i-ACT a suitable tool for use in the home environment. Further development and future research is necessary to adapt the i-ACT system towards the wishes and needs of the aged population at home and in care facilities. Future research should include the effect of using a client-centred task-oriented approach in combination with technology-supported systems to engage aged persons to perform PA. Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000A39C&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0003E6F&ts=37&cx=2jhfvs

Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Cognition

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Etnier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Wide Range

There is substantial interest in identifying the behavioral means by which to improve cognitive performance. Recent research and commercial ventures have focused on cognitive training interventions, but evidence suggests that the effects of these programs are small and task-specific. Researchers have also shown interest in exploring the potential benefits of physical activity for cognitive performance. Because the effects of physical activity have been found to be small to moderate and to be more global in nature, interest in physical activity has been growing over the past several decades. Evidence regarding the efficacy of physical activity is provided through cross-sectional studies, longitudinal prospective studies, and randomized controlled trials. When reviewed meta-analytically, small-to-moderate beneficial effects are reported for children, adults, older adults, and cognitively impaired older adults, and these effects are evident for a wide range of cognitive domains, including executive function, memory, and information processing. Researchers are currently focused on identifying the mechanisms of these effects. Most of this research has been conducted using animal models, but there is a growing body of literature with humans. From this evidence, there is support for the role of changes in cerebral structure, hippocampal perfusion, and growth factors in explaining the observed benefits. Thus far, however, the literature is quite sparse, and future research is needed to clarify our understanding of the mechanisms that provide the causal link between physical activity and cognitive performance. Research is also focused on understanding how to increase the benefits by potentially combining cognitive training with physical activity and by identifying the genetic moderators of the effects. These lines of work are designed to elucidate ways of increasing the magnitude of the benefits that can be obtained. At this point in time, the evidence with respect to the potential of physical activity for benefiting cognitive performance is quite promising, but it is critical that funding agencies commit their support to the continued exploration necessary to allow us to ultimately be able to prescribe physical activity to specific individuals with the express purpose of improving cognition.

scholarly journals Modes and locales of physical activity

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Bungum ◽  
Melva Thompson-Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Racially Mixed ◽  
Aging Knowledge

Older adults are important from a public health standpoint as the number and proportion of elderly in our population is increasing. Further, this segment of the population is characterized by low physical activity involvement and suffers from hypokinetic diseases at high rates. Thus, health promoters should be aware of the types of PA that older adults engage in, and where that PA occurs. The purpose of this study was to describe the modes of PA in which middle-aged and older adults engage in and locales of where that PA occurs. An additional purpose was to identify predictors of meeting PA guidelines that have been created by experts. We also sought to determine if participation in social activities predicted meeting PA guidelines, as both are important aspects of aging. Knowledge of such information could be valuable in designing PA interventions. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and all data was collected via a telephone interview. A racially mixed sample of 350 females and 199 males completed a 52-item survey that included measures of PA behavior and neighborhood characteristics. Twenty participants failed to report their gender and were excluded from the analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of meeting PA guidelines. Results: Participant ages ranged from 45-89 years (M = 60.8). The most frequently cited mode of PA was walking, by 53.7% of the sample, most of which occurred near residences (63.6%). Only 11.2% of participants met PA guidelines by doing either moderately or vigorously intense PA. Predictors of meeting PA guidelines included doing PA in a community facility or fitness club, and participation in social activities, which approached significance. Public health personnel should recommend activities, especially walking, to older adults that can be done near their homes, and future research should assess neighborhood characteristics that are supportive of, or hinder the PA of older adults.

scholarly journals Exercise-Induced Improvements in Cognitive Functioning and Brain Structure in Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bartel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Brain Volume ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Older Populations

Physical activity is often associated with benefits such as reduced risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease; however, the benefits of physical activity are not only limited to physical health, but also extend to cognition (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Exercise in older populations results in improved cognitive functioning and decreased risk of cognitive decline (Muscari et al., 2010). This current literature review examines the association between physical activity and cognitive functioning in older adults. Studies suggest that a variety of types of exercise have cognitive benefits, although it is not clear which type of activity has the largest effect. Additionally, exercise increases total brain volume and the connectivity of neural networks in areas such as the hippocampus, and decreases the presence of white matter hyperintensities in areas involved in motor control and coordination (Erickson et al., 2010; Tseng et al., 2013). Taken together, the research indicates that physical activity improves cognitive functioning and causes exercise-induced changes in the brain. Limitations of the reviewed research include a lack of generalizable results due to a lack of diversity of samples, as well as the presence of cross-sectional designs that are unable to define the direction of the relationship between exercise and cognition. Future research should investigate the inconsistencies reported in the literature with the goal of developing programs to improve cognitive function in older populations and to reduce the burden of cognitive impairment on the health care system.

scholarly journals ASSOCIATIONS OF PAIN INTENSITY WITH SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S20-S21
Author(s):  
Kushang Patel ◽  
Andrea LaCroix ◽  
Paul Crane ◽  
Rod L Walker ◽  
KatieRose Richmire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mild Pain

Abstract Exercise is recommended for several painful, age-associated conditions; however, relationships between pain intensity and objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity have not been investigated in older adults. Accordingly, we analyzed cross-sectional data on 936 older adults in the ACT Study who self-reported their pain intensity on a 0-10 rating scale (0=no pain; 1-3=mild pain; and 4-10=moderate/severe pain) and wore an activPAL accelerometer. A total of 181 (19.3%) reported no pain, while 564 (60.3%) and 191 (20.4%) reported mild and moderate/severe pain, respectively. Linear regression models adjusted for age and sex estimated that compared to those with no pain, participants with moderate/severe pain walked significantly fewer steps/day (b-coefficient=-778 [95%CI: -1377, -179]) and had fewer sit-to-stand transitions/day (b-coefficient=-2.9 [95%CI: -5.6, -0.1]). In contrast, there were no significant differences in these outcomes comparing no pain versus mild pain. Future research will examine effects of pain treatments (opioids) and diagnoses on accelerometer-measured outcomes.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional assessment of the relationship between sedative medication and anticholinergic medication use and the movement behaviour of older adults living in residential aged care

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9605
Author(s):  
Gaynor Parfitt ◽  
Dannielle Post ◽  
Lisa Kalisch Ellett ◽  
Renly Lim ◽  
Alison Penington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Movement Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Anticholinergic Burden

Objectives Medications with anticholinergic or sedative effects are frequently used by older people but can increase risk of falls and adverse events; however, less is known about their effect on movement behaviour. Here we examine the cross-sectional association between medication use and movement behaviour in older adults living in residential aged care. Materials and Methods Twenty-eight older adults living in residential aged care in metropolitan Australia participated. Medication data were collected from participants’ medical charts and sedative load and anticholinergic burden were determined. Seven-day movement behaviour was objectively assessed by a wrist-worn triaxial accelerometer. Raw accelerations were converted to sleep, sedentary time, and time in light, moderate, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. To explore the relationship between medication and movement behaviour, Spearman’s Rho correlations were conducted, as the data were not normally distributed. Results Analyses indicated that while anticholinergic burden was not associated with movement behaviour, sedative load was negatively correlated with a number of variables, accounting for 14% variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and 17% in the bout length of MVPA (p < .02). Conclusion The findings of this study showed a negative association between sedative load, due to medicines, and an individual’s movement behaviour. The impact of this could be a reduction in the ability of this population to maintain or improve their functional mobility, which may overshadow any benefits of the medicine in some circumstances.

scholarly journals Effects of physical activity on strength and skeletal muscle fat infiltration in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 1498-1503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bret H. Goodpaster ◽  
Peter Chomentowski ◽  
Bryan K. Ward ◽  
Andrea Rossi ◽  
Nancy W. Glynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fat Infiltration ◽  
Muscle Fat Infiltration ◽  
Loss Of Strength

Considerable evidence suggests that the loss of strength and muscle mass appear to be inevitable consequences of aging. Moreover, aging is associated with an increase in body fat. This study examined whether increased physical activity could prevent or reverse the losses of strength and skeletal muscle mass as well as the gain in fat in older adults. Eleven men and 31 women completed a randomized trial consisting of either a physical activity (PA; n = 22) or successful aging health educational control (SA; n = 20) group. Isokinetic knee extensor strength and computed tomography-derived midthigh skeletal muscle and adipose tissue cross-sectional areas (CSA) were assessed at baseline and at 12 mo following randomization. Total body weight and muscle CSA decreased in both groups, but these losses were not different between groups. Strength adjusted for muscle mass decreased (−20.1 ± 9.3%, P < 0.05) in SA. The loss of strength was completely prevented in PA (+2.5 ± 8.3%). In addition, there was a significant increase (18.4 ± 6.0%) in muscle fat infiltration in SA, but this gain was nearly completely prevented in PA (2.3 ± 5.7%). In conclusion, regular physical activity prevents both the age-associated loss of muscle strength and increase in muscle fat infiltration in older adults with moderate functional limitations.

Usability of a tablet computer designed for older adults: a qualitative approach based on an intra-hospital living-lab for healthcare (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Sacco ◽  
Pauline Carliez ◽  
Frédéric Noublanche ◽  
Romain Simon ◽  
Anne Renaudin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Satisfaction Score ◽  
Tablet Computer ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Perceived Usability

BACKGROUND Usability is the keystone in the evolution of tablet technology in healthcare. The Ardoiz® tablet has been designed with a simplified interface for older adults. OBJECTIVE To assess the perceived usability and satisfaction of the Ardoiz® tablet. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods with cross-sectional study using System Usability Scale (SUS), satisfaction score and workshops, including geriatric patients, healthcare professional and caregivers. RESULTS Between September 25, 2019 and March 11, 2020, 58 participants were included in a cross-sectional study (including 38 patients, mean ±SD 85±6 years, 66% women), 26 in workshops (including 5 patients, mean ±SD 86.4±2.9, 40% women). The SUS was 74±12/100, the satisfaction score was 2.8±0.9/4, with 59% of satisfied participants with the use of Ardoiz® pads. The intent to acquire remained low with 18% (n=6) of participants who would be interested in acquiring the tablet. This tablet computer seemed to be difficult to use by geriatric patients and healthcare professionals, mainly because of its complex homepage. Nevertheless, former caregivers and healthcare professionals thought that the tablet could be of great interest to hospitals for leisure and medical use. The main feedback in order to improve the tablet is to simplify the home page with fewer and more static icons (without switching). CONCLUSIONS Notwithstanding the usability of the tablet, the intent to acquire of Ardoiz® tablet remained low. The interface should be simplified for older adults in order to improve usability and adherence. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04091152

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