scholarly journals Adapting Mobile and Wearable Technology to Provide Support and Monitoring in Rehabilitation for Dementia: Feasibility Case Series

10.2196/12346 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e12346
Author(s):  
Julia Thorpe ◽  
Birgitte Hysse Forchhammer ◽  
Anja M Maier
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Wearable Technology ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
People With Dementia

Background Mobile and wearable devices are increasingly being used to support our everyday lives and track our behavior. Since daily support and behavior tracking are two core components of cognitive rehabilitation, such personal devices could be employed in rehabilitation approaches aimed at improving independence and engagement among people with dementia. Objective The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using smartphones and smartwatches to augment rehabilitation by providing adaptable, personalized support and objective, continuous measures of mobility and activity behavior. Methods A feasibility study comprising 6 in-depth case studies was carried out among people with early-stage dementia and their caregivers. Participants used a smartphone and smartwatch for 8 weeks for personalized support and followed goals for quality of life. Data were collected from device sensors and logs, mobile self-reports, assessments, weekly phone calls, and interviews. This data were analyzed to evaluate the utility of sensor data generated by devices used by people with dementia in an everyday life context; this was done to compare objective measures with subjective reports of mobility and activity and to examine technology acceptance focusing on usefulness and health efficacy. Results Adequate sensor data was generated to reveal behavioral patterns, even for minimal device use. Objective mobility and activity measures reflecting fluctuations in participants’ self-reported behavior, especially when combined, may be advantageous in revealing gradual trends and could provide detailed insights regarding goal attainment ratings. Personalized support benefited all participants to varying degrees by addressing functional, memory, safety, and psychosocial needs. A total of 4 of 6 (67%) participants felt motivated to be active by tracking their step count. One participant described a highly positive impact on mobility, anxiety, mood, and caregiver burden, mainly as a result of navigation support and location-tracking tools. Conclusions Smartphones and wearables could provide beneficial and pervasive support and monitoring for rehabilitation among people with dementia. These results substantiate the need for further investigation on a larger scale, especially considering the inevitable presence of mobile and wearable technology in our everyday lives for years to come.

scholarly journals Adapting Mobile and Wearable Technology to Provide Support and Monitoring in Rehabilitation for Dementia: Feasibility Case Series (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Thorpe ◽  
Birgitte Hysse Forchhammer ◽  
Anja M Maier
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Wearable Technology ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
People With Dementia

BACKGROUND Mobile and wearable devices are increasingly being used to support our everyday lives and track our behavior. Since daily support and behavior tracking are two core components of cognitive rehabilitation, such personal devices could be employed in rehabilitation approaches aimed at improving independence and engagement among people with dementia. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using smartphones and smartwatches to augment rehabilitation by providing adaptable, personalized support and objective, continuous measures of mobility and activity behavior. METHODS A feasibility study comprising 6 in-depth case studies was carried out among people with early-stage dementia and their caregivers. Participants used a smartphone and smartwatch for 8 weeks for personalized support and followed goals for quality of life. Data were collected from device sensors and logs, mobile self-reports, assessments, weekly phone calls, and interviews. This data were analyzed to evaluate the utility of sensor data generated by devices used by people with dementia in an everyday life context; this was done to compare objective measures with subjective reports of mobility and activity and to examine technology acceptance focusing on usefulness and health efficacy. RESULTS Adequate sensor data was generated to reveal behavioral patterns, even for minimal device use. Objective mobility and activity measures reflecting fluctuations in participants’ self-reported behavior, especially when combined, may be advantageous in revealing gradual trends and could provide detailed insights regarding goal attainment ratings. Personalized support benefited all participants to varying degrees by addressing functional, memory, safety, and psychosocial needs. A total of 4 of 6 (67%) participants felt motivated to be active by tracking their step count. One participant described a highly positive impact on mobility, anxiety, mood, and caregiver burden, mainly as a result of navigation support and location-tracking tools. CONCLUSIONS Smartphones and wearables could provide beneficial and pervasive support and monitoring for rehabilitation among people with dementia. These results substantiate the need for further investigation on a larger scale, especially considering the inevitable presence of mobile and wearable technology in our everyday lives for years to come.

Identity, mood, and quality of life in people with early-stage dementia

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1306-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa S. Caddell ◽  
Linda Clare
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
The People ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Relationship Of

ABSTRACTBackground: There is little empirical research regarding the relationships between identity and well-being in people with dementia. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship of identity with mood and quality of life (QoL) in the people in the early stages of dementia.Method: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Fifty people in the early stages of dementia completed measures pertaining to different aspects of identity, mood, and QoL. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine whether it was possible to predict any of the variance in mood and QoL from aspects of identity.Results: It was possible to predict 12.8% of the variance in anxiety, 23.4% of the variance in depression, and 25.1% of the variance in QoL from different aspects of identity. Predictors varied for each dependent variable.Conclusions: Aspects of identity predict a modest proportion of the variance in anxiety, depression, and QoL. This suggests that supporting identity in people with dementia who are experiencing difficulties in this regard might have a positive impact on mood and QoL. However, the majority of the variance in mood and QoL must be accounted for by other variables.

Introduction of intraoperative neuromonitoring does not necessarily improve overall long-term outcome in elective aneurysm clipping

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 1188-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Greve ◽  
Veit M. Stoecklein ◽  
Franziska Dorn ◽  
Sophia Laskowski ◽  
Niklas Thon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evoked Potentials ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Neurological Outcome ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Significant Difference

OBJECTIVEIntraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM), particularly of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), evolved as standard of care in a variety of neurosurgical procedures. Case series report a positive impact of IOM for elective microsurgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (ECUIA), whereas systematic evaluation of its predictive value is lacking. Therefore, the authors analyzed the neurological outcome of patients undergoing ECUIA before and after IOM introduction to this procedure.METHODSThe dates of inclusion in the study were 2007–2014. In this period, ECUIA procedures before (n = 136, NIOM-group; 2007–2010) and after introduction of IOM (n = 138, IOM-group; 2011–2014) were included. The cutoff value for SSEP/MEP abnormality was chosen as an amplitude reduction ≥ 50%. SSEP/MEP changes were correlated with neurological outcome. IOM-undetectable deficits (bulbar, vision, ataxia) were not included in risk stratification.RESULTSThere was no significant difference in sex distribution, follow-up period, subarachnoid hemorrhage risk factors, aneurysm diameter, complexity, and location. Age was higher in the IOM-group (57 vs 54 years, p = 0.012). In the IOM group, there were 18 new postoperative deficits (13.0%, 5.8% permanent), 9 hemisyndromes, 2 comas, 4 bulbar symptoms, and 3 visual deficits. In the NIOM group there were 18 new deficits (13.2%; 7.3% permanent, including 7 hemisyndromes). The groups did not significantly differ in the number or nature of postoperative deficits, nor in their recovery rate. In the IOM group, SSEPs and MEPs were available in 99% of cases. Significant changes were noted in 18 cases, 4 of which exhibited postoperative hemisyndrome, and 1 suffered from prolonged comatose state (5 true-positive cases). Twelve patients showed no new detectable deficits (false positives), however 2 of these cases showed asymptomatic infarction. Five patients with new hemisyndrome and 1 comatose patient did not show significant SSEP/MEP alterations (false negatives). Overall sensitivity of SSEP/MEP monitoring was 45.5%, specificity 89.8%, positive predictive value 27.8%, and negative predictive value 95.0%.CONCLUSIONSThe assumed positive impact of introducing SSEP/MEP monitoring on overall neurological outcome in ECUIA did not reach significance. This study suggests that from a medicolegal point of view, IOM is not stringently required in all neurovascular procedures. However, future studies should carefully address high-risk patients with complex procedures who might benefit more clearly from IOM than others.

A study protocol: co-designing a mobile application to enhance communication, safety and wellbeing for people living at home with early stage dementia (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Davies ◽  
Bie Nio Ong ◽  
Sudeh Cheraghi-Sohi ◽  
Katherine Perryman ◽  
Caroline Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Normalisation Process Theory ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
At Home

BACKGROUND Background: There is a growing interest in using mobile applications in supporting health and wellbeing. Evidence directly from people with dementia regarding the acceptability, usability and usefulness of mobile apps is limited. It builds on ‘My Health Guide’ which was co-designed with people with cognitive disabilities. . OBJECTIVE Objective This paper describes the protocol of a study evaluating an app designed for supporting wellbeing with people living with dementia, specifically focusing on enhanced safety through improved communication METHODS Method: The study will employ design research, using participatory qualitative research methods over three cycles of evaluation with service users, their families and practitioners. The study will be developed in partnership with a specialist home care service in England. A purposive case selection will be used to ensure that the cases exemplify differences in experiences. The app will be evaluated in a ‘walkthrough’ workshop by people living with early stage dementia and then trialled at home by up to 12 families in a ‘try-out’ cycle. An amended version will be evaluated in a final ‘walkthrough’ workshop in cycle 3. Data will be collected from at least four data sources during the try-out phase and analysed thematically (people with dementia, carers, practitioners and app usage). An explanatory, multiple-case study design will be used to synthesise and present the evidence from the three cycles drawing on Normalisation Process Theory to support interpretation of the findings. RESULTS Results: The study is ready to be implemented but has been paused to protect vulnerable individuals during the Coronavirus in 2020. The findings will be particularly relevant for understanding how to support vulnerable people living in the community during social distancing and the period following the pandemic, as well as providing insight into the challenges of social isolation arising from living with dementia CONCLUSIONS Discussion: Evaluating a mobile application for enhancing communication, safety and wellbeing for people living with dementia contributes to key ambitions enshrined in policy and practice, championing the use of digital technology and supporting people with dementia to live safely in their own homes. The study uses a co-design method to enable the voice of users with dementia to highlight the benefits and challenges of technology and shape future development of apps that potentially enhances safety through improved communication.

scholarly journals Is Biofeedback through an Intra-Aural Device an Effective Method to Treat Bruxism? Case Series and Initial Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Kira Pfeiffer ◽  
Thaqif El Khassawna ◽  
Deeksha Malhan ◽  
Christine Langer ◽  
Barbara Sommer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Initial Experience ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Unpleasant Feeling ◽  
Ear Canals

Biofeedback was reported as an effective concept for bruxism treatment, through increasing patient’s awareness of the habit. During bruxing both ear canals become tighter, therefore, an in-ear device can provide biofeedback. The in-ear device is fitted to the ear canal in physiological status, during bruxing the ear-canal tightens resulting in stress on the canal walls and unpleasant feeling. Subsequently, patients stop their bruxing habit. The aim of this study is to provide first clinical evidence that in-ear devices have a positive impact on relieving bruxism in patients. Despite the low number of patients, this early study was designed as a controlled prospective study. The trial included seven female patients with a median age of 47.3 years (23–64 years). Only two patients implemented their devices for eight and seven months, respectively. One patient reported a relief in her symptoms, like headaches and pain intensity during the night, by 50% after three month and 80% after six months. Despite the limited number of participants, the study reflects a potential of Intra-aural devices as effective biofeedback devices in treating bruxism.

scholarly journals The Academic Portfolio System (APS) Usage Intention of Senior High School Students in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8394
Author(s):  
Tsen-Yao Chang ◽  
Yu-Chieh Chiu
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Model Verification ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
School Students

Taiwan began to implement a new high school syllabus nationwide, in 2019. The Ministry of Education has also established a high school student Academic Portfolio System (APS) to collect the learning process of high school students for future university admissions references. However, during this period, high school students and their parents had many opinions on the implementation of the new system. There were even groups of students protesting. The main purpose of this research is to explore the factors that affect the system usage intentions of high school students. Based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the technology acceptance model (TAM), this research established a research model. The research variables include system interface design, usefulness, ease of use, attitude, subjective norms, and usage intentions. A total of 712 questionnaires were collected from high school students in northern Taiwan. Data analysis is carried out in three stages: descriptive analysis, measurement model verification, and structural equation modeling. The results of the study found that system interface design has a significant impact on the perceived ease of use. Factors such as ease of use, usefulness, attitude, and subjective norms also have a significant positive impact on usage intention; ease of use and usefulness positively affect attitudes toward using. Finally, according to the results, some practical implications were proposed for implementation references from the perspectives of education authority, high schools, teachers, and students.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of the Validation Method in Work Satisfaction and Motivation of Nursing Home Care Professionals: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Iván Sánchez-Martínez ◽  
Raül Vilar ◽  
Javier Irujo ◽  
Duna Ulsamer ◽  
Dolors Cano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Older People ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Nursing Home Care ◽  
Validation Method ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Quasi Experimental

The purpose of this study was to carry out a literature review on the effectiveness of the validation method (VM) in job satisfaction and motivation of care professionals working with older people in nursing homes. The review was carried out in specialised databases: Scopus, PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar, Scielo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 9046 results were obtained, out of which a total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria: five quantitative, four qualitative, one single case series, two quasi-experimental and two mixed methods studies. The results of the analysed studies report that the VM can be an effective tool that facilitates communication and interaction in care, reducing levels of stress and job dissatisfaction among care professionals. The VM facilitates communication between professionals and older people with dementia, and improves the management of complex situations that may arise in care, directly influencing a reduction in work stress and increasing job satisfaction.

Understanding the mobile payment technology acceptance based on valence theory

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 2027-2049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Bulent Ozturk ◽  
Anil Bilgihan ◽  
Saba Salehi-Esfahani ◽  
Nan Hua
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Individual Difference ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mobile Payment ◽  
Privacy Concern ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Utilitarian Value ◽  
Valence Theory ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to examine factors affecting restaurant customers’ intention to use near field communication (NFC)-based mobile payment (MP) technology. More specifically, based on the valence theory, this paper examined the impacts of users’ negative valence (perceived risk and privacy concern) and positive valence (utilitarian value and convenience) perceptions toward their NFC-MP technology acceptance. Furthermore, the impacts of individual difference variables (smartphone affinity and compatibility) on users’ negative and positive valences and on their behavioral intentions were analyzed. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect the data of the study from 412 restaurant customers. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate the measurement model. To test the hypothesized model, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used. Findings The study findings demonstrated that privacy concern, utilitarian value and convenience significantly affected individuals’ NFC-MP technology acceptance. In addition, compatibility significantly influenced negative and positive valance constructs and smartphone affinity had a positive impact on positive valance constructs only. Practical implications This study provides valuable practical implications for restaurant operators and hospitality technology vendors in the context of mobile payment systems. Originality/value This study successfully extended the valence framework by adding individual difference constructs to it.

Long-Term Follow-Up after Radiotherapy of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jurr Boer
Keyword(s):  
Total Dose ◽  
Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Late Treatment

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are still often disappointed with the current treatments offered and there is a clear demand for more effective options. Since the late 1990s there has been a revival in the use of radiotherapy (RT) for different benign diseases, including HS. During the past 20 years one case series and some scattered case reports have described promising results of RT. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To evaluate the long-term efficacy of RT in early-stage HS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A postal survey-based long-term follow-up with simple factual questions of partly retrospective and partly contemporary characteristics was performed. Sixty-four patients (96 axillae), diagnosed with mild to moderate HS were irradiated with a orthovoltage unit with 100 kV, 3 mm Al or 200 kV, 0.5 Cu filtering, respectively. Four to six biweekly fractional doses ranging from 0.75 to 1 Gy up to a total dose of 6 Gy in one series, and in chronic cases followed by four daily fractions of 2 Gy up to a total dose of 14 Gy, were given. Late treatment toxicity and the rate of remission of the disease were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall response rate of the survey was 64.1% with 40.6% (26/64) valid, complete questionnaires. In total, 40 axillae were irradiated in these 26 patients. After a median follow-up of 40 years (range 32–52) complete remission of the lesions occurred in 34 of the 40 sites (85%). None of the 26 patients with 40 irradiated sites reported adverse effects at the time of the survey. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> RT appears to be an effective treatment for early and mild HS in the majority of patients. In this case series, no side effects were reported after a median follow-up period of 40 years.

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