scholarly journals Application of Smartphone Technologies in Disease Monitoring: A Systematic Review

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 889
Author(s):  
Jeban Chandir Moses ◽  
Sasan Adibi ◽  
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe ◽  
Lemai Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Electronic Monitoring ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Disease Monitoring ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Weight Management Programs

Technologies play an essential role in monitoring, managing, and self-management of chronic diseases. Since chronic patients rely on life-long healthcare systems and the current COVID-19 pandemic has placed limits on hospital care, there is a need to explore disease monitoring and management technologies and examine their acceptance by chronic patients. We systematically examined the use of smartphone applications (apps) in chronic disease monitoring and management in databases, namely, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Proquest, published from 2010 to 2020. Results showed that app-based weight management programs had a significant effect on healthy eating and physical activity (p = 0.002), eating behaviours (p < 0.001) and dietary intake pattern (p < 0.001), decreased mean body weight (p = 0.008), mean Body Mass Index (BMI) (p = 0.002) and mean waist circumference (p < 0.001). App intervention assisted in decreasing the stress levels (paired t-test = 3.18; p < 0.05). Among cancer patients, we observed a high acceptance of technology (76%) and a moderately positive correlation between non-invasive electronic monitoring data and questionnaire (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001). We found a significant relationship between app use and standard clinical evaluation and high acceptance of the use of apps to monitor the disease. Our findings provide insights into critical issues, including technology acceptance along with regulatory guidelines to be considered when designing, developing, and deploying smartphone solutions targeted for chronic patients.

Application of smartphone technologies in disease monitoring: a systematic review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Adibi ◽  
Jeban Chandir Moses ◽  
Shariful Islam ◽  
Lemai Nguyen ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Electronic Monitoring ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Disease Monitoring ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Smartphone Technology

BACKGROUND Technologies play an essential role in monitoring, managing, and self-management of patients with chronic conditions. The current COVID-19 pandemic has limited access to hospital care for patients with chronic diseases, created uncertainty over their health, and accentuated their emotional situation. There is an imperative need globally in delivering healthcare through alternative methodologies to monitor and maintain the health and wellbeing of chronic patients. The advancements in technology and the surge in smartphone ownership could enable it to function as a disease monitoring tool. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of smartphone technologies in disease monitoring and examine the acceptance of technology by stakeholders including patients with chronic conditions. METHODS We followed a systematic review process to assess technology's scope in the medical and healthcare system. Four databases (Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Proquest) were searched. Articles examining the use of smartphone technology in chronic disease monitoring were included. Primary outcomes for the research articles and their statistically significant value where applicable are presented and discussed. RESULTS Results showed that smartphone applications (app)-based weight management program had a significant effect on healthy eating and physical activity (P=.002), eating behaviours (P<.001) and dietary intake pattern (P<.001), decreased mean body weight (P=.008), mean Body Mass Index (BMI) (P=.002) and mean waist circumference (P<.001). App intervention assisted in decreasing the stress levels (paired t-test=3.18; P<.05). A moderately positive correlation between non-invasive electronic monitoring data and questionnaire (r=0.6, P<.0001) were found among cancer patients, and a high acceptance rate of technology (76%) was observed. Our results might help to design, develop and deploy more suitable and targeted smartphone solutions for people with chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant relationship between app use and standard clinical evaluation, and high acceptance of using apps to monitor the disease. Our findings provide insights into critical issues that must be considered when designing, developing and deploying smartphone solutions targeted for monitoring chronic health conditions.

scholarly journals Developing a Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM) for Older Adults with Hypertension

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Maurita T. Harris ◽  
Wendy A. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Acceptance Model ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Healthcare Technology ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Healthcare Technologies ◽  
Acceptance Model

Abstract Older adults with a chronic health condition (e.g. hypertension) use various self-management methods. Healthcare technologies have the potential to support health self-management. However, it is necessary to understand the acceptance of these technologies as a precursor to older adults’ adoption and integration into their health plan. Our focus was on the factors older adults with hypertension initially consider when introduced to three new healthcare technologies that might support their health self-management. We compared their considerations for a blood pressure monitor, an electronic pillbox and a multifunction robot to simulate incrementally more complex technologies. Twenty-three participants (aged 65–84) completed four questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The interview transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. We identified the factors that were frequently mentioned among the participants for each of the three healthcare technologies. The factors that older adults initially considered were familiarity, perceived benefits, perceived ease of use, perceived need for oneself, relative advantage, complexity and perceived need for others. Upon further reflection, participants considered advice acceptance, compatibility, convenience, facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness, privacy, subjective norm, and trust. We integrated the factors that older adults considered into the Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM), which elucidates the complexity of healthcare technology acceptance and provides guidance for future explorations.

scholarly journals Cosmetic Gynecology: Present and Future Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 845-853
Author(s):  
Prabhu Chandra Mishra ◽  
Diana Mihai ◽  
Nidhi Khurana ◽  
Manar Jabbar
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Fat Grafting ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
Stem Cells Therapy ◽  
Cosmetic Gynecology

Postmenopausal women and events like childbirth, and aging may cause structural and functional changes in women genitalia. The arising indications do not only cause psychological distress to women but negatively affect the sexual well-being and deteriorate the quality of their lives. Regenerative/ cosmetic gynecology procedures enable women to treat the functionality issues and modify the physical structure of vagina. This review discusses the latest developments in this field with regards to various kinds of procedures that are available, particularly the use of energy-based devices, and adipose tissue derived stem cells therapy for fat grafting which have revolutionized the regenerative gynecology procedures. These offer non-invasive modalities to treat the conditions like urinary incontinence among others which occur in high prevalence among women. Despite the advancements made in this field, it lacks regulatory guidelines and standardized procedures which imposes one of the biggest challenges of the field. Alongside, we have documented a procedure called Intimacell® which has been standardized for fat grafting procedures in vulvovaginal region.

scholarly journals Creating Gameful Design in mHealth: A Participatory Co-Design Approach (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stian Jessen ◽  
Jelena Mirkovic ◽  
Cornelia M Ruland
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
The Look ◽  
Mhealth Apps

BACKGROUND Gameful designs (gamification), using design pieces and concepts typically found in the world of games, is a promising approach to increase users’ engagement with, and adherence to, electronic health and mobile health (mHealth) tools. Even though both identifying and addressing users’ requirements and needs are important steps of designing information technology tools, little is known about the users’ requirements and preferences for gameful designs in the context of self-management of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to present findings as well as the applied methods and design activities from a series of participatory design workshops with patients with chronic conditions, organized to generate and explore user needs, preferences, and ideas to the implementation of gameful designs in an mHealth self-management app. METHODS We conducted three sets of two consecutive co-design workshops with a total of 22 participants with chronic conditions. In the workshops, we applied participatory design methods to engage users in different activities such as design games, scenario making, prototyping, and sticky notes exercises. The workshops were filmed, and the participants’ interactions, written products, ideas, and suggestions were analyzed thematically. RESULTS During the workshops, the participants identified a wide range of requirements, concerns, and ideas for using the gameful elements in the design of an mHealth self-management app. Overall inputs on the design of the app concerned aspects such as providing a positive user experience by promoting collaboration and not visibly losing to someone or by designing all feedback in the app to be uplifting and positive. The participants provided both general inputs (regarding the degree of competitiveness, use of rewards, or possibilities for customization) and specific inputs (such as being able to customize the look of their avatars or by having rewards that can be exchanged for real-world goods in a gift shop). However, inputs also highlighted the importance of making tools that provide features that are meaningful and motivating on their own and do not only have to rely on gameful design features to make people use them. CONCLUSIONS The main contribution in this study was users’ contextualized and richly described needs and requirements for gamefully designed mHealth tools for supporting chronic patients in self-management as well as the methods and techniques used to facilitate and support both the participant’s creativity and communication of ideas and inputs. The range, variety, and depth of the inputs from our participants also showed the appropriateness of our design approach and activities. These findings may be combined with literature and relevant theories to further inform in the selection and application of gameful designs in mHealth apps, or they can be used as a starting point for conducting more participatory workshops focused on co-designing gameful health apps.

scholarly journals Mobile phone applications and their use in the self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a qualitative study among app users and non-app users

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bronte Jeffrey ◽  
Melina Bagala ◽  
Ashley Creighton ◽  
Tayla Leavey ◽  
Sarah Nicholls ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Acceptance Model ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Mobile Phone Applications ◽  
Acceptance Model ◽  
App Design

Abstract Background Mobile phone applications (apps) have been shown to successfully facilitate the self-management of chronic disease. This study aims to evaluate firstly the experiences, barriers and facilitators to app usage among people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and secondly determine recommendations to improve usage of diabetes apps. Methods Participants were aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of T2DM for ≥ 6 months. Semi-structured phone-interviews were conducted with 16 app and 14 non-app users. Interviews were based on the Technology Acceptance Model, Health Information Technology Acceptance Model (HITAM) and the Mobile Application Rating Scale. Data were analysed using deductive content analysis. Results Most app-users found apps improved their T2DM self-management and health. The recommendation of apps by health professionals, as well as positive interactions with them, improved satisfaction; however, only a minority of patients had practitioners involved in their app use. All non-app users had never had the concept discussed with them by a health professional. Facilitators to app use included the visual representation of trends, intuitive navigation and convenience (for example, discretion and portability). Barriers to app use were participant’s lack of knowledge and awareness of apps as healthcare tools, perceptions of disease severity, technological and health literacy or practical limitations such as rural connectivity. Factors contributing to app use were classified into a framework based on the Health Belief Model and HITAM. Recommendations for future app design centred on educational features, which were currently lacking (e.g. diabetes complications, including organ damage and hypoglycaemic episodes), monitoring and tracking features (e.g. blood glucose level monitoring with trends and dynamic tips and comorbidities) and nutritional features (e.g. carbohydrate counters). Medication reminders were not used by participants. Lastly, participants felt that receiving weekly text-messaging relating to their self-management would be appropriate. Conclusions The incorporation of user-centred features, which engage T2DM consumers in self-management tasks, can improve health outcomes. The findings may guide app developers and entrepreneurs in improving app design and usability. Given self-management is a significant factor in glycaemic control, these findings are significant for GPs, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals who may integrate apps into a holistic management plan which considers strategies outside the clinical environment.

scholarly journals Validity of a Portable Breath Analyser (AIRE) for the Assessment of Lactose Malabsorption

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aahana Shrestha ◽  
Utpal K. Prodhan ◽  
Sarah M. Mitchell ◽  
Pankaja Sharma ◽  
Matthew P.G. Barnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Exhaled Breath ◽  
Post Challenge ◽  
Lactose Malabsorption ◽  
Maximum Score ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Digestive Health

Hydrogen (H2) measurement in exhaled breath is a reliable and non-invasive method to diagnose carbohydrate malabsorption. Currently, breath H2 measurement is typically limited to clinic-based equipment. A portable breath analyser (AIRE, FoodMarble Digestive Health Limited, Dublin, Ireland) is a personalised device marketed for the detection and self-management of food intolerances, including lactose malabsorption (LM). Currently, the validity of this device for breath H2 analysis is unknown. Individuals self-reporting dairy intolerance (six males and six females) undertook a lactose challenge and a further seven individuals (all females) underwent a milk challenge. Breath samples were collected prior to and at frequent intervals post-challenge for up to 5 h with analysis using both the AIRE and a calibrated breath hydrogen analyser (BreathTracker, QuinTron Instrument Company Inc., Milwaukee, WI, USA). A significant positive correlation (p < 0.001, r > 0.8) was demonstrated between AIRE and BreathTracker H2 values, after both lactose and milk challenges, although 26% of the AIRE readings demonstrated the maximum score of 10.0 AU. Based on our data, the cut-off value for LM diagnosis (25 ppm H2) using AIRE is 3.0 AU and it is effective for the identification of a response to lactose-containing foods in individuals experiencing LM, although its upper limit is only 81 ppm.

scholarly journals Non‐invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis and long‐term disease monitoring by transient elastography in patients with Wilson disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 894-904
Author(s):  
Rafael Paternostro ◽  
Jan Pfeiffenberger ◽  
Peter Ferenci ◽  
Albert F. Stättermayer ◽  
Rudolf E. Stauber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wilson Disease ◽  
Transient Elastography ◽  
Disease Monitoring ◽  
Non Invasive

A single-step multi-level supramolecular system for cancer sonotheranostics

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huirong Lin ◽  
Shuang Li ◽  
Junqing Wang ◽  
Chengchao Chu ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Supramolecular System ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Ionic Crosslinking ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Multi Level

A multi-level supramolecular system produced by single-step Fe3+-mediated ionic crosslinking self-assembly can overcome the critical issues of current sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and address the need to monitor therapeutic effects in vivo with a non-invasive approach.

scholarly journals Estimate of Anemia with New Non-Invasive Systems—A Moment of Reflection

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Dimauro ◽  
Serena De Ruvo ◽  
Federica Di Terlizzi ◽  
Angelo Ruggieri ◽  
Vincenzo Volpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
World Population ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Open Problems ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Critical Issues

Anemia is a global public health problem with major consequences for human health. About a quarter of the world population shows a hemoglobin concentration that is below the recommended thresholds. Non-invasive methods for monitoring and identifying potential risk of anemia and smartphone-based devices to perform this task are promising in addressing this pathology. We have considered some well-known studies carried out on this topic since the main purpose of this work was not to produce a review. The first group of papers describes the approaches for the clinical evaluation of anemia focused on different human exposed tissues, while we used a second group to overview some technologies, basic methods, and principles of operation of some devices and highlight some technical problems. Results extracted from the second group of papers examined were aggregated in two comparison tables. A growing interest in this topic is demonstrated by the increasing number of papers published recently. We believe we have identified several critical issues in the published studies, including those published by us. Just as an example, in many papers the dataset used is not described. With this paper we wish to open a discussion on these issues. Few papers have been sufficient to highlight differences in the experimental conditions and this makes the comparison of the results difficult. Differences are also found in the identification of the regions of interest in the tissue, descriptions of the datasets, and other boundary conditions. These critical issues are discussed together with open problems and common mistakes that probably we are making. We propose the definition of a road-map and a common agenda for research on this topic. In this sense, we want to highlight here some issues that seem worthy of common discussion and the subject of synergistic agreements. This paper, and in particular, the discussion could be the starting point for an open debate about the dissemination of our experiments and pave the way for further updates and improvements of what we have outlined.

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