scholarly journals Acceptance of televideo technology by adults aging with a mobility impairment for health and wellness interventions

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205566831769275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy L Mitzner ◽  
Rachel Stuck ◽  
Jordan Q Hartley ◽  
Jenay M Beer ◽  
Wendy A Rogers

Televideo technology (e.g., Skype) has potential to support adults as they age by facilitating their interactions with people remotely; this potential may be even greater for adults aging with pre-existing mobility impairments, who face challenges interacting with others in person due to lack of transportation or accessibility. Our research employed questionnaire and interview methodologies to investigate this understudied population about their attitudes toward televideo technology for supporting social engagement, healthcare provider access, and physical activity. Participants were 14 adults aging with self-reported mobility impairments (50–70 years of age). Overall, participants were open to accepting televideo technology for social engagement, healthcare provider access, and physical activity. Participants perceived these technologies to be useful and perceived additional benefits, including the feeling of “being there” by enabling the viewing of facial expressions and the environment of the other person. Concerns included perceptions that televideo technologies lack security and privacy. Participants also expressed concerns that these technologies are difficult to use and are difficult to learn to use. The findings have implications for education, training, and deployment of televideo technology for home-based interventions for adults aging with pre-existing mobility impairments.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 934-937
Author(s):  
Tasneem M. Lakkadsha ◽  
Kiran Kumar ◽  
Waqar M. Naqvi ◽  
Pratik Phansopkar

In January 2020, we met with COVID-19 (aka SARS-Co-V-2 and/or Corona virus) on our news channels all the way from china. Little did we know that it would shake up our lives in such a manner that we had heard only in a movie or read in history books. Currently we are all in some sort of lockdown, be it in hospital/home or in our minds. Being there, most of us are facing certain kind of misery, be it emotional, mental, physical or social. To be expansive the most common stresses that have been addressed by people on mass media platform are feeling of depression and isolation caused by being away from family and friends, some are complaining of losing their enthusiasm, some of gaining weight, some of losing it and many more. Going through a pandemic is also helping people in some or the other way, one of which is being concerned about their health and habits to keep themselves fit and away from serious comorbidities which can stem out from physical inactivity and heightened stress levels. There are many ways to stay fit at home without any complex gym equipment, but far less is known about it. Thus, an understanding of methods through which one can become physically active with least complexity, easy availability, and appropriate utilization is need of the hour.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheeba Nadarajah ◽  
Susan Buchholz ◽  
Kristen Dickins

BACKGROUND Globally, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Cardiovascular mortality can be decreased by participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Researchers are exploring the use of mHealth technology in cardiac rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of randomized controlled trials that use a mHealth intervention as a part of an outpatient and/or home-based cardiac rehabilitation program on improving physical activity and physical fitness outcomes. METHODS For this systematic review, mHealth interventions were limited to text messaging, mobile apps, and use of a mobile phone network for data transmission, used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation program. Using six databases, the search strategy included published English language studies through 2016. Data was extracted independently by two reviewers, and then synthesized. RESULTS The initial search yielded 149 articles, of which 15 articles that represented nine studies met inclusion criteria. Articles were published from 2010 to 2016 and came from two continents. The majority (84%) of participants were male. Generally, the participant mean age was late 50s to early 60s. Text messaging was the most frequently used intervention. The results of the physical activity and physical fitness findings were mixed. Effect sizes for intervention as measured by the 6-minute walk test ranged from 0.46 to 0.58 and peak VO2 ranged from 0.03 to 1.35. CONCLUSIONS Globally, use of mHealth in outpatient and/or home-based cardiac rehabilitation is being studied with greater attention. However, these studies are limited by geography, gender, and age. Therefore, further research in the area of cardiac rehabilitation and mHealth is recommended, especially in developing countries, among women, and older adults.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett C. Bade ◽  
Geliang Gan ◽  
Fangyong Li ◽  
Lingeng Lu ◽  
Lynn Tanoue ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lung cancer survivors need more options to improve quality of life (QoL). It is unclear to what extent patients with advanced stage disease are willing to participate in home-based physical activity (PA) and if these interventions improve QoL. The goal of our study was to determine interest in participating in our 3-month home-based walking regimen in patients with advanced stage lung cancer. We used a randomized design to evaluate for potential benefit in PA and patient-reported outcomes. Methods We performed an open-label, 1:1 randomized trial in 40 patients with stage III/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) evaluating enrollment rate, PA, QoL, dyspnea, depression, and biomarkers. Compared to usual care (UC), the intervention group (IG) received an accelerometer, in-person teaching session, and gain-framed text messages for 12 weeks. Results We enrolled 56% (40/71) of eligible patients. Participants were on average 65 years and enrolled 1.9 years from diagnosis. Most patients were women (75%), and receiving treatment (85%) for stage IV (73%) adenocarcinoma (83%). A minority of patients were employed part-time or full time (38%). Both groups reported low baseline PA (IG mean 37 (Standard deviation (SD) 46) vs UC 59 (SD 56) minutes/week; p = 0.25). The IG increased PA more than UC (mean change IG + 123 (SD 212) vs UC + 35 (SD 103) minutes/week; p = 0.051)). Step count in the IG was not statistically different between baseline (4707 step/day), week 6 (5605; p = 0.16), and week 12 (4606 steps/day; p = 0.87). The intervention improved EORTC role functioning domain (17 points; p = 0.022) with borderline improvement in dyspnea (− 13 points; p = 0.051) compared to UC. In patients with two blood samples (25%), we observed a significant increase in soluble PD-1 (219.8 (SD 54.5) pg/mL; p < 0.001). Conclusions Our pilot trial using a 3-month, home-based, mobile health intervention enrolled over half of eligible patients with stage III and IV NSCLC. The intervention increased PA, and may improve several aspects of QoL. We also identified potential biomarker changes relevant to lung cancer biology. Future research should use a larger sample to examine the effect of exercise on cancer biomarkers, which may mediate the association between PA and QoL. Clinical trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03352245).


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nduka C. Okwose ◽  
Leah Avery ◽  
Nicola O’Brien ◽  
Sophie Cassidy ◽  
Sarah J. Charman ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Less than 10% of heart failure patients in the UK participate in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The present pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and physiological effects of a novel, personalised, home-based physical activity intervention in chronic heart failure. Methods Twenty patients (68 ± 7 years old, 20% females) with stable chronic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31 ± 8 %) participated in a single-group, pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week personalised home-based physical activity intervention aiming to increase daily number of steps by 2000 from baseline (Active-at-Home-HF). Patients completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic measurements and quality of life questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Patients were supported weekly via telephone and average weekly step count data collected using pedometers. Results Forty-three patients were screened and 20 recruited into the study. Seventeen patients (85%) completed the intervention, and 15 (75%) achieved the target step count. Average step count per day increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks by 2546 (5108 ± 3064 to 7654 ± 3849, P = 0.03, n = 17) and was maintained until week 12 (9022 ± 3942). Following completion of the intervention, no adverse events were recorded and quality of life improved by 4 points (26 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 19). Peak exercise stroke volume increased by 19% (127 ± 34 vs. 151 ± 34 m/beat, P = 0.05), while cardiac index increased by 12% (6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min/m2, P = 0.19). Workload and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold also increased by 16% (49 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 14 watts, P = 0.01) and 10% (11.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min, P = 0.39). Conclusion The Active-at-Home-HF intervention is feasible, acceptable and effective for increasing physical activity in CHF. It may lead to improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance and haemodynamic function. Trial Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0367727. Retrospectively registered on 17 September 2018.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Schirinzi ◽  
Andrea Sancesario ◽  
Enrico Castelli ◽  
Enrico Bertini ◽  
Gessica Vasco

AbstractCOVID-19 outbreak profoundly impacted on daily-life of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including those with ataxia. Effects on interventional trials have been recently described. Conversely, changes in physical activity programs, which are crucial in care of ataxic patients, have not been assessed yet.Here we used a structured electronic survey to interview twenty patients with Friedreich ataxia (FA) on changes in physical activity during the lockdown in Italy.Regular physiotherapy was interrupted for most patients and up to 60% of them referred a substantial worsening of self-perceived global health. However, FA patients (especially those mildly affected) adopted voluntarily home-based training strategies and, in 30% of cases, used technology-based tools (TBTs) for exercise.COVID-19 crisis thus disclosed the urgent need to support ataxic patients improving systems for remote physical activity and technology-based assistance.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110035
Author(s):  
Jennifer Utter ◽  
Sally McCray

Family meals provide a unique opportunity for families to eat well and engage positively with each other. In response to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, a new initiative to support health care staff to share healthy meals with their families was developed. At a hospital in Queensland, Australia, dietetic staff collaborated with the on-site food service retailer to develop and offer a range of hot meals that staff could take home for their families at the end of their day. The meals were nutritious, reasonably priced, and designed to feed a family of four. The dietetic staff worked with the hospital marketing department and staff health and wellness program to promote the initiative. Over the 3 months that it has been running, nearly 300 meals have been purchased. Anecdotal comments from the food service retailer highlighted that the initiative was a good thing to do for staff to maintain a positive reputation of the business. The staff evening meal initiative is a healthy, affordable, educational, and socially engaging alternative to takeaway meals and food delivery by app, and it is mutually beneficial for health care staff and the on-site food retailer. The initiative also offers a unique opportunity for promoting nutrition and social engagement during stressful times.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amerigo Rossi ◽  
Ciarán Friel ◽  
Leeja Carter ◽  
Carol Ewing Garber

Purpose. To determine whether theory-based physical activity (PA) interventions for overweight and obese female cancer survivors lead to increased PA and improved health. Methods. This systematic review examined randomized controlled trials analyzing the impact of theory-based PA interventions on overweight and obese female cancer survivors through December 2016. Searches of 5 electronic databases revealed 10 articles that included 1351 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Results. Participants were primarily non-Hispanic white (74%-100%) breast or endometrial cancer survivors. Intervention characteristics and PA assessment tools varied greatly. Adherence (68%-99%) and retention (79%-100%) were relatively high. Social cognitive theory was utilized as the theoretical construct in 9 of the 10 studies. Home-based interventions led to small improvements in PA (Cohen’s d range = 0.25-0.31), whereas home-based plus center-based interventions led to moderate to large improvements (Cohen’s d range = 0.45-1.02). Only three of the studies assessed psychosocial behavioral processes associated with PA, and the results were mixed. Health-related outcomes included improvements in aerobic fitness (Cohen’s d = 0.32-1.1 in 5 studies), large absolute decreases in waist circumferences (>6 cm in 3 of 5 studies; Cohen’s d = −0.31 to −1.02), and no change in inflammatory biomarkers (in 2 studies). Only one serious adverse event (pelvic stress fracture) was attributed to the interventions. Conclusions. Theory-based PA interventions are safe and feasible for overweight and obese female cancer survivors. Interventions that include a center-based component showed moderate to large effect sizes for PA. Future studies should evaluate behavioral variables and more health-related clinical outcomes.


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