The Impact of Assistive Technologies on Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-Being

2022 ◽  
pp. 713-725
Author(s):  
Michael R. Schwartz ◽  
Paul Oppold

Health-related quality of life is a comprehensive term to describe a person's experiences of health and illness. Quality of life (QOL) is a dynamic psychological construct encompassing interacting subjective and objective dimensions; thus, it is not directly observable. There is no gold standard for measuring quality of life due to the differing interests of doctors, caregivers, patients, and researchers. This chapter examines the research needs in the area of improving QoL through the proper implementation of AT. The authors also make recommendations for incorporating the needs of users and caregivers in the design, deployment, and use of AT to reduce device abandonment.

Author(s):  
Michael R. Schwartz ◽  
Paul Oppold

Health-related quality of life is a comprehensive term to describe a person's experiences of health and illness. Quality of life (QOL) is a dynamic psychological construct encompassing interacting subjective and objective dimensions; thus, it is not directly observable. There is no gold standard for measuring quality of life due to the differing interests of doctors, caregivers, patients, and researchers. This chapter examines the research needs in the area of improving QoL through the proper implementation of AT. The authors also make recommendations for incorporating the needs of users and caregivers in the design, deployment, and use of AT to reduce device abandonment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jansirani Natarajan ◽  
Mickael Antoine Joseph ◽  
Abdullah Al Asmi ◽  
Gerald Amandu Matua ◽  
Jaber Al Khabouri ◽  
...  

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis is a disabling neurological disorder with significant negative effects on patients’ quality of life. Despite the increased prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Arabian Gulf countries in recent years, no study has assessed the impact of multiple sclerosis on the healthrelated quality of life of Omani patients. Therefore, the objectives of the current study was to assess the impact of multiple sclerosis on the health-related quality of life of Omani patients using the validated disease-specific self-administered MusiQoL instrument. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between April and December 2019 on 177 Omani patients with multiple sclerosis attending two major hospitals in Oman. Patients’ health-related quality of life was assessed using the validated disease-specific self-administered MusiQoL instrument. Results: Majority (51.4%) of the patients had poor HRQOL and 48.6% had moderate HRQOL. We found that being older than 30 years, a female, married, separated, widowed, or divorced, and having visual and sleep problems had poorer health-related quality of life. Among the different health-related quality of life components, relationship with the healthcare system and relationship with family and friends were the most affected because of the disease process. Our results also showed that psychological well-being and coping domains of MusiQoL questionnaires are significantly reduced in females as compared to males. Conclusion: Understanding the health-related quality of life of Omanis with multiple sclerosis provides valuable knowledge that could help optimize the management of this disease.


2019 ◽  
pp. 105477381989469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoungrim Kang ◽  
Leila Gholizadeh ◽  
Hae-Ra Han

This study aims to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Korean patients in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) and correlates of this important patient outcome. A total of 150 patients with recent MI were recruited. The Korean version of the MacNew Quality of Life after Myocardial Infarction Questionnaire was used to assess their HRQoL. Demographic, behavioural and disease-related factors were also assessed and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) was used for psychological well-being. Participants who had a higher education level and better financial status had better HRQoL. Diabetes, history of stroke, other heart disease and a higher score of the DASS 21 were adversely associated with HRQoL. The findings of this study help identify risk factors that are related to lower HRQoL after MI. Early psychological and financial support may help reduce the impact of MI on patients’ overall health and quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Fakheran ◽  
Mahmoud Keyvanara ◽  
Zahra Saied-Moallemi ◽  
Abbasali Khademi

Abstract Background Complex psychological and physiological changes occur in women’s body during pregnancy. These changes affect both oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). In almost all of the previous cross-sectional design studies on pregnant women, generic OHRQoL instruments have been used to measure OHRQoL. While such instruments may be reliable, they may not be appropriate to evaluate the OHRQoL in special populations like pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-perceived factors affecting the OHRQoL among pregnant women. Methods In this qualitative descriptive study, twenty- seven pregnant women were recruited from four healthcare centers located in Isfahan city, Iran. The interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to collect and analyze the data. Four criteria of credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability were implemented through established procedures to confirm the study rigor. Results Three major themes and six sub-themes capturing the impacts of pregnancy on women’s OHRQoL were identified. They covered all areas of life, including daily life, psychological well-being, social life, physical impact, and also barriers to utilization of dental care services. Some new domains such as “dentists’ refusal to treat pregnant women”, “negative feelings about pregnancy” and “concerns about fetal health” were found as important factors which could influence the OHRQoL during pregnancy. Conclusion The findings help to better understand the oral health issues impacting women during pregnancy and to achieve person-centered care and improved oral health outcomes in pregnant women. The conceptual framework created based on the results of this study may help health care workers and policy makers for improving the health of pregnant women.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4794-4794
Author(s):  
S. S. Thompson ◽  
S. Macran ◽  
J. Kalmus ◽  
F. Morschhauser

Abstract PURPOSE: This health-related quality of life (HRQL) study aimed to evaluate the impact of 90y-Zevalin therapy on the HRQL of older patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not eligible for stem cell transplantation. Ppsychometric performance of the FACT-G and EQ-5D in the same patient sample was also evaluated. The study was conducted alongside a single arm, phase II clinical trial of 90Y-Zevalin radioimmunotherapy. METHODS: The FACT-G scale contains 27 questions, grouped according to 4 “dimensions” of HRQL relevant to patients with cancer: Physical, Functional, Social and Emotional well-being. The scale provides a total score for overall HRQL and subscale scores for each dimension. The EQ-5D is a generic measure of HRQL used in a range of diseases and comprises a descriptive classification based on 5 broad dimensions and a visual analogue scale. Data from the 2 measures were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Validity was assessed in terms of correlations between individual dimensions. Changes in the dimensions and total scores of the FACT-G and EQ-5D from baseline to wk 12 post-90Y-Zevalin therapy were assessed using paired t-tests. Wk 12 corresponded to the time of expected maximal response to 90Y-Zevalin therapy. RESULTS: Sixty-six of 104 patients enrolled in the clinical study completed the FACT-G and EQ-5D questionnaires at baseline and 35 completed the questionnaires at wk 12. Those who completed the questionnaires at both baseline and wk 12 were more likely to have responded to 90Y-Zevalin (80% were responders) although they were comparable in terms of age (median = 72 yrs) and gender (54% male) to those who only completed the questionnaires at baseline. At baseline, the dimensions of HRQL with the worst scores and therefore most affected by DLBCL, included areas related to energy, pain, anxiety and depression, which would be expected given the symptoms commonly associated with DLBCL such as fatigue. The percentage of patients reporting “some or extreme problems” on each of the EQ-5D dimensions at baseline are summarized in the table. Moderate correlations were observed between the Physical Well-being of the FACT-G and the Usual Activities (=0.60) and Pain/Discomfort (=0.70) dimensions of the EQ-5D. The Emotional Well-being dimension of the FACT-G was moderately correlated with the Anxiety/Depression on the EQ-5D (=0.66). These data suggest the FACT-G and the EQ-5D were measuring some common concepts to patients. All summary dimensions of the FACT-G and EQ-5D showed either a positive trend or little change after treatment with 90Y-Zevalin, with the Physical Well-being dimension of the FACT-G reaching statistical significance (P=0.03) and measuring a 10% improvement over baseline. The change in total score of the FACT-G almost reached significance (P=0.06), as did the emotional dimension of the FACT-G (P=0.10) and the mobility dimension of the EQ-5D (P=0.08). CONCLUSION: Although number of participating patients was small, the EQ-5D and the FACT-G have demonstrated validity for patients with DLBCL following treatment with 90Y-Zevalin. The greatest impact of 90Y-Zevalin therapy is an improvement in physical well-being, with an increased level of energy, reduced amount of pain and reduced level of “feeling ill”. EQ-5D dimension % of patients reporting “Some or extreme problems” at baseline Mobility 26 Self-care 12 Usual activities 29 Pain/discomfort 54 Anxiety/depression 58


Cephalalgia ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 414-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
CGH Dahlöf

Health-related quality of life (HQL) assessment in the clinical setting have distinguished subjective perceptions (e.g. well-being), signs/symptoms of the disease, and functional capacity as three major components. The impact of short-term treatment for migraine attacks on these variables was evaluated in an open prospective 6-month study at the Gothenburg Migraine Clinic. Socio-economic factors, subjective symptoms, and general well-being/quality of life were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires in 99 patients with migraine with or without aura in accordance with the classification of the International Headache Society. Short-term treatment comprising conventional therapy or subcutaneous sumatriptan reduced number of days per month with migraine and absenteeism from work, migraine-associated symptoms, but did not significantly improve general well-being between attacks. Future assessment of the patients' HQL in accordance with this approach would enable us to consider all the advantages and disadvantages of current therapies of particular interest in the field of migraine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S289-S289
Author(s):  
J A Vázquez Gómez ◽  
M Velasco Rodríguez-Belvís ◽  
L M Palomino Pérez ◽  
P Sánchez Llorente ◽  
C Aguilar Ladrón de Guevara ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multi-dimensional concept used to examine the impact of health status on their global well-being. The IMPACT-III is a 35-item questionnaire specifically designed to evaluate the quality of life of patients with paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (pIBD). This questionnaire had its origin in 1999 in Canada (Otley et al.) and, since then, it has been adapted to many languages. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life of pIBD patients using the IMPACT-III questionnaire and to identify specific needs according to the patient’s profile. Methods An observational, descriptive, and retrospective study was carried out in November 2020, including the pIBD patients undergoing follow-up in a tertiary hospital that have previously completed the IMPACT-III questionnaire. Epidemiological and clinical data were anonymously retrieved from the electronic medical records. We established three blocks of IMPACT-III items according to physical, emotional and social well-being, or to the perception of body image. The results of each block and totals were compared according to gender, age, diagnosis, time of evolution, activity and treatment. To make the comparison, the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples for 2 groups and the Kruskal-Wallis test for 3 or more independent groups were used. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and the results were considered statistically significant when reaching a bilateral critical level (p) ≤ 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. Results We included a total of 40 patients. There were no significant differences according to gender, type of IBD or type of treatment. The group of adolescents obtained a higher score in the body image block (p = 0.009). Patients with over two years of evolution of the disease obtained statistically significantly higher scores in the physical well-being block (p = 0.027). In patients who filled out the questionnaire during a flare, the scores on questions of physical well-being (p = 0.007), emotional and social (p = 0.037), as well as total (p = 0.012) were significantly higher. Overall, 31 patients (77.5%) answered that IBD had negatively affected their family. Conclusion Our data suggest that patients with a longer evolution time, adolescents and patients suffering an active flare seem to report a worst HRQOL. Patients with the mentioned characteristics constitute a vulnerable population with special care needs that should be addressed from an interdisciplinary point of view. Despite the limitations of the retrospective design and the scarce number of patients, our results indicate that family-centered care should be a priority.


Author(s):  
Hanny Al-Samkari ◽  
Eduard J van Beers ◽  
D Holmes Morton ◽  
Stefan Eber ◽  
Satheesh Chonat ◽  
...  

Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is the most common cause of congenital non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. Although recognition of the disease spectrum has recently expanded, data describing its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are limited. In this prospective international cohort of 254 patients (131 adults and 123 children) with PKD, we assessed the disease impact on HRQoL (EuroQL-5D, PedsQL, FACT-An) and fatigue (PROMIS Fatigue, PedsFACIT-F) using validated measures. Significant variability in HRQoL and fatigue was reported for both adults and children although individual scores were stable over a 2-year interval. While adults who were regularly transfused reported worse HRQoL and fatigue compared to those who were not regularly transfused (EQ-VAS 58 vs. 80, p=0.01), this difference was not seen in children. Regularly transfused adults reported lower physical, emotional, and functional well-being and more anemia symptoms. Both HRQoL and fatigue significantly differed in children by genotype with the worst scores in those with two severe PKLR mutations; this difference was not seen in adults. However, iron chelation was associated with significantly worse HRQoL scores in both children and adults. Pulmonary hypertension was also associated with significantly worse HRQoL. In PKD-specific symptom assessment, 59% of adults and 35% of children reported that their jaundice upset them, identifying this as an important symptom for consideration. While current treatments for PK deficiency are limited to supportive care, new therapies are currently in clinical trials. Understanding the impact of PKD on HRQoL is important to assess the utility of these treatments. (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02053480)


2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 564-570
Author(s):  
Silvia A.S. Vedovello ◽  
Ana Letícia Mello de Carvalho ◽  
Larissa C. de Azevedo ◽  
Patrícia R. dos Santos ◽  
Mario Vedovello-Filho ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the impact of anterior occlusal conditions in the mixed dentition on item-level analysis of oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and Methods A population-based cross-sectional study of 787 children aged 8 to 10 years was conducted. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) was used to evaluate OHRQoL, and the analysis of item levels was performed on CPQ8-10 domains. Anterior occlusal characteristics were diagnosed according to the Dental Aesthetic Index criteria. Individual analyses were performed relating the outcome as independent variables. The variables with P < .20 in the individual analyses were tested in multiple logistic regression models, and those with P < .10 remained in the model. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results No associations were found with regard to anterior occlusal characteristics (P < .001) after the variables of the previous determinants were adjusted for multivariate analysis. However, the following variables were significantly associated with negative impact on OHRQoL item levels: sex, in oral symptoms (OR = 1.42; CI, 1.07–1.89) and emotional well-being (OR = 1.34; CI, 1.00–1.79); race, in oral symptoms (OR = 1.48; CI, 1.10–1.98), emotional well-being (OR = 1.54; CI, 1.14–2.06), and social well-being (OR = 1.34; CI, 1.00–1.80); and family income in functional limitation (OR = 1.46; CI, 1.06–2.02), emotional well-being (OR = 1.71; CI, 1.21–2.42), and social well-being (OR = 1.59; CI, 1.14–2.21). Conclusions Anterior occlusal conditions did not affect the levels of OHRQoL items.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinny Davies ◽  
Jacqueline Reid ◽  
E. Marian Scott

Using methodology previously described for the dog health-related quality of life (HRQL) tool (VetMetrica™), the aim was to optimize the scores profile of a comparable feline online HRQL instrument for monitoring HRQL in cats, to assist in its interpretation. Measuring HRQL helps quantify the impact of disease and its treatment on well-being, aids clinical decision making and provides information in clinical trials. In Study 1, using data collected from previous studies, scores generated for three domains of HRQL (Vitality, Comfort, Emotional Well-being) in healthy cats were normalized using standard statistical techniques of logit transformation and T-scores, such that the average healthy cat has a score of 50 in all three HRQL domains. Using normalized scores from healthy and sick cats, a threshold score of 44.8 was determined, above which 70% of healthy cats should score. Study 2 determined the Minimal Important Difference (MID) in normalized score that constituted a clinically significant improvement in each domain. Three methods were tested in order to determine the MID, with the final choice made based on statistical and clinical considerations. Thresholds of 5, 7.5, and 5 were chosen for the three HRQL domains representing Vitality, Comfort and Emotional Well-being, respectively. This study makes available a means of displaying HRQL scores from an online application in an easily interpretable manner and quantifies a clinically meaningful improvement in score. To illustrate the practical application of these developments, three case examples are presented. Example 1 illustrates the raw and normalized scores for a group of overweight cats enrolled in a Feline Weight Management Programme. Example 2 shows three groups of osteoarthritic cats, each with different severity of disease. The third is an elderly, un-well cat whose HRQL was recorded over time, specifically to facilitate end of life discussion between owner and veterinary clinician.


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