Benefits of a Wearable Activity Tracker with Safety Features for Older Adults: An Intervention Study

Hvalič-Touzery, Simona; Šetinc, Mojca; Dolničar, Vesna

doi:10.3390/ijerph192315723

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 82 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Hvalic-Touzery et al [47] examined the benefits of wearable activity trackers for older adults, noting improvements in physical activity levels and health outcomes. The study emphasized the role of continuous monitoring and feedback in encouraging activity.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empowering Active and Healthy Ageing: Integrating IoT and Wearable Technologies for Personalised Interventions

Joymangul,

Ciobanu,

Agnoloni

et al. 2024

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Social isolation and loneliness greatly contribute to negative health consequences in older adults. Technological solutions can be an asset in promoting social connections and healthy behaviours. This paper presents an innovative structure for an Internet of Things (IoT) platform specifically tailored for older persons. The framework utilises a supervised learning algorithm to classify users into four identified profiles to facilitate the adoption and engagement of technology. The platform incorporates wearables, such as socks and smart bands, to track physical activity, and a messaging module to encourage social interaction. The platform processes the acquired data to quantify steps and deliver tailored interventions remotely to the older adults through the AGAPE Assistant, the mHealth solution of the platform. Furthermore, the AGAPE Assistant has a user interface design for older adults, with a focus on their specific needs. Additionally, improving digital literacy among older adults is crucial for maximizing the long-term compliance and benefits of such technological solutions. On the other hand, AGAPE Monitor is a web application used by formal caregivers to configure the tailored interventions. The platform’s usability was assessed using different usability scale questionnaires, which revealed a mild level of user satisfaction and acceptance. The proposed framework is currently being deployed on more than 112 older adults across three countries: Italy, Romania, and Portugal. The proposed framework provides a holistic solution to encourage active ageing by adopting technology, implementing hybrid interventions, and promoting social interactions.

show abstract

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empowering Active and Healthy Ageing: Integrating IoT and Wearable Technologies for Personalised Interventions

Joymangul,

Ciobanu,

Agnoloni

et al. 2024

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Interestingly, up to now, the Psychosocial Impacts of Assistive Devices Scale PIADS, which measures various outcomes of assistive technologies on aspects like independence, control, and competence in everyday life, has only been used rarely in empirical studies outside the evaluation of technologies for persons with physical or mental disabilities, i.e. for older people living at home (Hvalič-Touzery, Šetinc, & Dolničar, 2022;Isabet, Rigaud, Li, & Pino, 2022;Orellano-Colón et al, 2020). The present study uses the scale for the first time in an RCT to measure the outcomes of using an AAL bundle.…”

Section: Autonomy and Control In Everyday Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of using aging-in-place technologies on quality of life: Results from a randomized controlled trial in four European countries

Simbrig¹,

Weegen²,

Piazolo³

et al. 2022

Gerontechnology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: It is widely recognized that technologies have the potential to contribute to high-quality long-term care for older people at home. Evidence from past RCTs partly confirms the positive effects of technology use, although results are mixed and various questions remain unanswered.Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the beneficial mid-and long-term effects of using aging-in-place technologies on quality of life (QoL) indicators like perceived safety, control, and participation (ATQoL scale) and other specific psychosocial outcomes (PI-ADS) as well as general health-related QoL (EQ-5D-5L Index value and Health today). Method: We conducted an RCT with 281 older people in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. Persons in the intervention group (n=143) obtained a bundle of smart home and assistive technologies which they used for 6 or 13 months in their private homes. Persons in the control group (n=138) received no intervention. Three hypotheses were tested with Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Results: We found slightly positive impacts of technology use on some of the specific QoL indicators for persons who used the technologies for 13 months and were relatively motivated and healthy. No, or even detrimental, effects emerged after 6 months. However, persons who used the emergency watch frequently perceived more favorable outcomes than those who used it rarely. Effects had small to medium standardized effect sizes. No effects emerged for the general health-related QoL measure. Conclusion: Despite study limitations (and the COVID-19 pandemic) we conclude that aging-in-place technologies can mitigate adverse age-related developments, and have stabilizing effects on the QoL of older persons. Our trial showed that outcome indicators that are closely related to technology use should be preferred to general indicators. Findings now have to be consolidated in meta-analyses to paint a clearer picture of the beneficial effects of technology use.

show abstract

Perceived Benefit and Satisfaction With a Tablet Computer and an Emergency Smartwatch by Older Adults and Their Relatives: Prospective Real-World Pilot Study

Wiegel,

Fotteler,

Kohn

et al. 2024

JMIR Hum Factors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Assistive technologies (ATs) have the potential to promote the quality of life and independent living of older adults and, further, to relieve the burden of formal and informal caregivers and relatives. Technological developments over the last decades have led to a boost of available ATs. However, evidence on the benefits and satisfaction with ATs in real-world applications remains scarce. Objective This prospective, real-world, pilot study tested the perceived benefit and satisfaction with different ATs in the real-world environment. Methods Community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 and their relatives tested a tablet computer with a simplified interface or a smartwatch with programmable emergency contacts for 8 weeks in their everyday life. Perceived benefits and satisfaction with ATs were assessed by all older adults and their relatives using different assessment tools before and after the intervention. Outcome measures included the Technology Usage Inventory, Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Results A total of 17 older adults (tablet computer: n=8, 47% and smartwatch: n=9, 53%) and 16 relatives (tablet computer: n=7, 44% and smartwatch: n=9, 56%) were included in the study. The number of participants that were frail (according to the Clinical Frailty Scale) and received care was higher in the smartwatch group than in the tablet computer group. Older adults of the smartwatch group reported higher technology acceptance (Technology Usage Inventory) and satisfaction (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0) scores than those of the tablet computer group, although the differences were not significant (all P>.05). In the tablet computer group, relatives had significantly higher ratings on the item intention to use than older adults (t12.3=3.3, P=.006). Identified everyday issues with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure included contact/communication and entertainment/information for the tablet computer, safety and getting help in emergency situations for the smartwatch, and the usability of the AT for both devices. While the performance (t8=3.5, P=.008) and satisfaction (t8=3.2, P=.01) in these domains significantly improved in the smartwatch group, changes in the tablet computer group were inconsistent (all P>.05). Conclusions This study highlights the remaining obstacles for the widespread and effective application of ATs in the everyday life of older adults and their relatives. While the results do not provide evidence for a positive effect regarding communication deficits, perceived benefits could be shown for the area of safety. Future research and technical developments need to consider not only the preferences, problems, and goals of older adults but also their relatives and caregivers to improve the acceptability and effectiveness of ATs.

show abstract

Benefits of a Wearable Activity Tracker with Safety Features for Older Adults: An Intervention Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 82 publications

Empowering Active and Healthy Ageing: Integrating IoT and Wearable Technologies for Personalised Interventions

Empowering Active and Healthy Ageing: Integrating IoT and Wearable Technologies for Personalised Interventions

Impact of using aging-in-place technologies on quality of life: Results from a randomized controlled trial in four European countries

Perceived Benefit and Satisfaction With a Tablet Computer and an Emergency Smartwatch by Older Adults and Their Relatives: Prospective Real-World Pilot Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About