Background Virtual reality (VR) delivered through immersive headsets creates an opportunity to deliver interventions to improve physical, mental, and psychosocial health outcomes. VR app studies with older adults have primarily focused on rehabilitation and physical function including gait, balance, fall prevention, pain management, and cognition. Several systematic reviews have previously been conducted, but much of the extant literature is focused on rehabilitation or other institutional settings, and little is known about the effectiveness of VR apps using immersive headsets to target health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults. Objective The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of VR apps delivered using commercially available immersive headsets to improve physical, mental, or psychosocial health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. Methods Peer-reviewed publications that included community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years residing in residential aged care settings and nursing homes were included. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness evidence. The title of this review was registered with JBI, and the systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Results In total, 7 studies that specifically included community-dwelling older adults were included in this review. VR apps using a head-mounted display led to improvements in a number of health outcomes, including pain management, posture, cognitive functioning specifically related to Alzheimer disease, and a decreased risk of falls. A total of 6 studies reported a statistically significant difference post VR intervention, and 1 study reported an improvement in cognitive function to reduce navigational errors. Only one study reported on the usability and acceptability of the interventions delivered through VR. While one study used a distraction mechanism for pain management, none of the studies used gaming technology to promote enjoyment. Conclusions Interventions to improve health outcomes through VR have demonstrated potential; however, the ability to synthesize findings by primary outcome for the older adult population is not possible. A number of factors, especially related to frailty, usability, and acceptability, also need to be explored before more substantial recommendations on the effectiveness of VR interventions for older adults can be made. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42019143504; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=143504
Aims Ageing‐in‐place for older people could be more feasible with the support of smart home technology. Ageing in‐place may maximize the independence of older adults and enhance their well‐being and quality of life, while decreasing the financial burden of residential care costs, and addressing workforce shortages. However, the uptake of smart home technology is very low among older adults. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore factors influencing community‐dwelling older adults’ readiness to adopt smart home technology. Design A qualitative exploratory study design was utilized. Methods Descriptive data were collected between 2019 and 2020 to provide context of sample characteristics for community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years. Qualitative data were collected via semi‐structured interviews and focus groups, to generate an understanding of older adult's perspectives. Thematic analysis of interviews and focus group transcripts was completed. The Elderadopt model was the conceptual framework used in the analysis of the findings. Results Several factors influenced community‐dwelling older adults’ (N = 19) readiness to adopt smart home technology. Five qualitative themes were identified: knowledge, health and safety, independence, security and cost. Conclusion Community‐dwelling older adults were open to adopting smart home technology to support independence despite some concerns about security and loss of privacy. Opportunities to share information about smart home technology need to be increased to promote awareness and discussion. Impact Wider adoption of smart home technology globally into the model of aged care can have positive impacts on caregiver burden, clinical workforce, health care utilization and health care economics. Nurses, as the main providers of healthcare in this sector need to be knowledgeable about the options available and be able to provide information and respond to questions know about ageing‐in‐place technologies to best support older adults and their families.
Aim This review assessed the effectiveness of interventions using a goal‐setting approach on glycaemic control for people diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Design A systematic review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for conducting systematic reviews of primary research studies was conducted. Data Sources Randomized controlled trials and experimental studies with a minimum follow‐up period of 6 months were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was change in glycaemic control as measured by glycated haemoglobin (%) and/or fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl). A systematic search of seven electronic databases was completed in October 2020. Review Methods Papers meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for critical appraisal followed by data extraction. A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment was conducted to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. Fixed‐effect meta‐analyses were completed to demonstrate the mean effect for each outcome of interest. Results Twenty one studies were included in this review. Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in prediabetes at 6 months and at 12 months for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) and glycated haemoglobin (%). Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 6 months, fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 12 months, glycated haemoglobin (%) at 6 months and glycated haemoglobin (%) at 12 months. Conclusion The evidence suggests goal setting is effective in supporting people to achieve glycaemic targets in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Background: The management of prediabetes in the community setting is a global priority. We evaluated the feasibility of a 6-month multilevel practice nurse-led prediabetes dietary intervention which involved goal setting. The aim of this paper is to explore the weight loss goals and strategies reported by participants to achieve their weight loss goals as recorded by practice nurses, and report on factors that influenced dietary behaviours. Methods: This study used a convergent mixed-methods design. A six-month pragmatic non-randomised pilot study with a qualitative process evaluation was conducted in two neighbouring provincial cities in New Zealand. A structured dietary intervention delivered by practice nurses was implemented in four practices in 2014-2016. Content analysis of the text and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: One hundred and fifty seven people with prediabetes were enrolled (85 intervention, 72 control). The intervention group lost a mean 1.3 kg more than the control group (p < .0.001). The majority of the intervention group indicated either a high level of readiness (n = 42, 53%) or some readiness (n = 31, 39%) to make food changes. The majority of weight loss goals aligned with clinical guidelines (between 5 and 10% of body weight). While just over half (n = 47, 55%) demonstrated weight loss at the end of the six month period, the majority of participants did not achieve their predetermined weight loss goal (n = 78, 83%). Gender, ethnicity and budget were not related to weight loss at six months. Readiness to change and reported challenges to making dietary changes were related to weight loss at six months. Negative factors or setbacks included sporadic adherence to diet due to other health problems, change in context or environment and coping with ill health, most notably stress and low mood. Conclusions: The data relating to weight loss and dietary goals provided insight into the challenges that people faced in making dietary changes for weight loss across a six month period. Simplifying goal setting to those goals with the greatest potential clinical impact or the greatest significance to the person, in a socially supportive environment, may increase the success of goal achievement.
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