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Saravanan A, Shade M, Liu Y, Olayeni B, Sanders S, Johnson R, Booker S, Starkweather A. Training to use smart tablets to access reliable online health information in older adults' post-pandemic: A focused pilot intervention study. Geriatr Nurs 2024; 56:204-211. [PMID: 38359740 PMCID: PMC10990773 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults are becoming more accepting and interested in using digital technologies, but difficulties and barriers remain for accessing reliable health-related information. The purpose of this focused pilot intervention study was to: (1) understand older adults' firsthand experiences and challenges while using smart tablets post-COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) gather suggestions for age-appropriate training materials, preference of training materials, and resources to access reliable online health information. METHODS A focused pilot intervention study that involved training older adults to use smart tablets followed by focus group of a convenience sample of 13 older adults (65-85 years old; 91.6% female) on their experiences of using smart tablets. RESULTS Thematic analysis revealed three themes: tablets are convenient to access online information and older adults reported technical, security concerns, emotional and cognitive challenges regarding use of smart tablets. Older adults also requested one-on-one support, assistance, and topic specific learning for future training sessions. CONCLUSIONS Future studies should focus on providing detailed, clear instructions at an acceptable pace for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anitha Saravanan
- School of Nursing, Northern Illinois University, 3100, Sycamore Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115, USA.
| | - Marcia Shade
- College of Nursing, 985330 University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yujun Liu
- School of Family and Consumer Science, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Bolanle Olayeni
- Northern Illinois University School of Nursing, 3100, Sycamore Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Sameera Sanders
- Northern Illinois University School of Nursing, 3100, Sycamore Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Rhea Johnson
- Northern Illinois University School of Nursing, 3100, Sycamore Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Staja Booker
- College of Nursing, University of Florida, PO Box 100197, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Angela Starkweather
- Research Development, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Han S, Teng AK, Lin SY, Demiris G, Zaslavsky O, Chen AT. Examining Engagement and Usability in an Online Discussion Platform for Older Adults: Findings From Pilot Studies. Comput Inform Nurs 2023; 41:665-672. [PMID: 36728155 PMCID: PMC10349907 DOI: 10.1097/cin.0000000000001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Social media may facilitate older adults' ability to engage socially and explore health information, but it can present difficulties for older adults. Therefore, it is important to explore older adults' experience of usability and user engagement. We conducted two rounds of pilot studies where we used Facebook to engage older adults. We performed a mixed-methods evaluation of user engagement and usability. A directed content analysis of qualitative data from the pilot studies was used to explore engagement and perceived usability, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine differences in feature usage and engagement. We analyzed qualitative data from 13 participants. Qualitative data analysis yielded themes pertaining to three main domains: user engagement , usability , and usability related to aging-related changes . In terms of user engagement and usability, participants in both pilot studies reported positive feedback on felt involvement and endurability, and the second pilot group reported more positive comments regarding perceived usefulness compared with the first pilot group. There was no statistically significant difference in usage over the two studies. The findings of this study suggest opportunities to improve older adults' experience of online discussion platforms. Considering changes that improve perceived aesthetic appeal and focused attention will be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojeong Han
- Author Affiliations: Pacific Medical Centers, Providence Health & Services (Dr Han), and Schools of Nursing (Drs Han and Zaslavsky) and Medicine (Drs Teng, Lin, and Chen), University of Washington, Seattle; Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University (Dr Lin); and School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, PA (Dr Demiris)
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Zaslavsky O, Kaneshiro J, Chu F, Teng A, Domoto-Reilly K, Chen AT. Virtual Intervention for Caregivers of Persons With Lewy Body Dementia: Pilot Quasi-Experimental Single-Arm Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e37108. [PMID: 35904843 PMCID: PMC9377445 DOI: 10.2196/37108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to other types of dementia, family caregivers of people with Lewy body dementia (LBD) report higher stress levels and more severe depressive symptoms. Although several digital support interventions for caregivers of persons with dementia exist, few target LBD specifically or leverage a fully remote and asynchronous approach suitable for pandemic circumstances. OBJECTIVE We performed a pilot evaluation of a digital intervention designed to help caregivers of people with LBD address challenges they have experienced, with the end goal of reducing psychological distress in this population. METHODS We recruited 15 family caregivers of people with LBD to participate in the quasi-experimental, single-arm, mixed methods study titled Virtual Online Communities for Aging Life Experience-Lewy Body Dementia (VOCALE-LBD). The study offers an 8-week web-based intervention that uses a digital discussion platform and involves moderation, peer-to-peer support, didactic training, and problem-solving skill enactment. RESULTS Participants' baseline characteristics were the following: mean age 66 (SD 8) years; 14 of 15 (93%) of them were female; all (15/15, 100%) were White; and 8 (53%) of them had at least a postgraduate degree. Throughout the intervention, participants engaged in weekly web-based discussions, generating a total of 434 posts (average 4 posts per week). Attrition was 20% (3/15). Upon study exit, participants showed the following average improvements: 3.0 (SD 6.0) in depression, 8.3 (SD 16.7) in burden, 2.9 (SD 6.8) in stress, and 0.3 (SD 0.8) in loneliness. When looking at the proportion of participants with clinically significant improvement versus those with a worsening of ≥0.5 SD for each outcome, we observed net improvements of 50% (6/12), 33% (4/12), 25% (3/12), and 25% (3/12) in depression, loneliness, burden, and stress, respectively. In terms of the benefits of participation, participants reported that participation helped them "a great deal" to (1) improve their understanding of LBD (9/12, 75%), (2) gain confidence in dealing with difficult behaviors of the care recipient (6/12, 50%), and (3) improve in one's abilities to provide care to the care recipient (4/12, 33%). CONCLUSIONS The study generated promising feasibility and preliminary efficacy data for a low-cost, web-based intervention designed for caregivers of persons with LBD. Though the study was not powered for significance, we observed nominal average and net improvements in important psychological outcomes. Moreover, many caregivers reported that study participation helped them better understand the disease, feel more confident in dealing with difficult behaviors of the care recipient, and improve their ability to care for the care recipient. If validated in future studies, the intervention could be an accessible, on-demand resource for caregivers, enabling them to engage in moderated remote discussions with peers at their own convenience in terms of location, time of the day, and frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frances Chu
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Andrew Teng
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - Annie T Chen
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Guasti L, Dilaveris P, Mamas MA, Richter D, Christodorescu R, Lumens J, Schuuring MJ, Carugo S, Afilalo J, Ferrini M, Asteggiano R, Cowie MR. Digital health in older adults for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases and frailty. A clinical consensus statement from the ESC Council for Cardiology Practice/Taskforce on Geriatric Cardiology, the ESC Digital Health Committee and the ESC Working Group on e-Cardiology. ESC Heart Fail 2022; 9:2808-2822. [PMID: 35818770 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital health technology is receiving increasing attention in cardiology. The rise of accessibility of digital health tools including wearable technologies and smart phone applications used in medical practice has created a new era in healthcare. The coronavirus pandemic has provided a new impetus for changes in delivering medical assistance across the world. This Consensus document discusses the potential implementation of digital health technology in older adults, suggesting a practical approach to general cardiologists working in an ambulatory outpatient clinic, highlighting the potential benefit and challenges of digital health in older patients with, or at risk of, cardiovascular disease. Advancing age may lead to a progressive loss of independence, to frailty, and to increasing degrees of disability. In geriatric cardiology, digital health technology may serve as an additional tool both in cardiovascular prevention and treatment that may help by (i) supporting self-caring patients with cardiovascular disease to maintain their independence and improve the management of their cardiovascular disease and (ii) improving the prevention, detection, and management of frailty and supporting collaboration with caregivers. Digital health technology has the potential to be useful for every field of cardiology, but notably in an office-based setting with frequent contact with ambulatory older adults who may be pre-frail or frail but who are still able to live at home. Cardiologists and other healthcare professionals should increase their digital health skills and learn how best to apply and integrate new technologies into daily practice and how to engage older people and their caregivers in a tailored programme of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigina Guasti
- University of Insubria - Department of Medicine and Surgery; ASST-settelaghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Polychronis Dilaveris
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mamas A Mamas
- Keele Cardiovascular Research Group, Centre for Prognosis Research, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | | | | | - Joost Lumens
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark J Schuuring
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Carugo
- University of Milan, Cardiology, Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jonathan Afilalo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Jewish General Hospital; Division of Cardiology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University; Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Riccardo Asteggiano
- University of Insubria - Department of Medicine and Surgery; ASST-settelaghi, Varese, Italy.,LARC (Laboratorio Analisi e Ricerca Clinica), Turin, Italy
| | - Martin R Cowie
- Royal Brompton Hospital (Guy's& St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust) & Faculty of Lifesciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Ahmad NA, Abd Rauf MF, Mohd Zaid NN, Zainal A, Tengku Shahdan TS, Abdul Razak FH. Effectiveness of Instructional Strategies Designed for Older Adults in Learning Digital Technologies: A Systematic Literature Review. SN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2022; 3:130. [PMID: 35039803 PMCID: PMC8754191 DOI: 10.1007/s42979-022-01016-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An ageing population is a universal phenomenon experienced worldwide. In parallel with these demographic changes, a significant breakthrough in digital devices has also influenced this digital age. Designing instructional strategies to promote meaningful learning among older adult learners has been a long-standing challenge. To enhance older adults’ life-long learning experiences, implementing instructional strategies in the process through which such adults learn can help to improve effective learning. Despite significant calls for research in this area, there is still insufficient research that systematically reviews the existing literature on older adult learning needs and preferences. Hence, in the present article, a systematic literature review was conducted of the effectiveness of instructional strategies designed for older adult learners through the use of digital technologies. The review was guided by the publication standard, which is ROSES (Reporting Standard for Systematic Evidence Syntheses). This study involves articles selected from two established databases, Web of Science and Scopus. Data from the articles were then analysed using the thematic analysis, which resulted in six main themes: (1) collaborative learning; (2) informal learning setting; (3) teaching aids; (4) pertinence; (5) lesson design; and (6) obtaining and providing feedback. The six main themes produced a further 15 sub-themes. The results from this study make significant contributions in the areas of instructional design and gerontology. The findings from this study highlight several important strategies of teaching digital technology, particularly for older adults, as follows: (1) to enhance instructional design use in teaching digital technology based on the needs and preferences of older adult learners; and (2) to highlight the factors for, and impact of, learning digital technologies among older adults.
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Merluzzi TV, Zhang G, Philip EJ, Lee D, Salamanca-Balen N. Discerning critical stressors and resources in the lives of cancer patients: A multivariate analysis of targets of intervention for enhancing cancer care and quality of life. Psychooncology 2022; 31:1186-1195. [PMID: 35194880 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationship between a broad variety of stressors, resources, and outcomes to identify targets of intervention to enhance the quality of life of cancer patients and contribute to a comprehensive model of cancer care. METHODS Five hundred and sixty persons with a diagnosis of cancer completed measures of stressors (past negative life events, current problems, current symptoms, comorbidities), resources (coping self-efficacy, social support, satisfaction with care) and outcomes (emotional and functional well-being). RESULTS Multivariate canonical correlations between pairs of canonical variates (stressors-outcomes, Rc = 0.56; stressors-resources, Rc = 0.42, resources-outcomes Rc = 0.66) were significant (all ps < 0.0001), which confirmed the relationship between those components and supported proceeding to more granular levels of analysis. More refined analyses revealed that the most critical variables in relation to outcomes (i.e., emotional and functional well-being), were current problems and symptoms among the stressors and coping self-efficacy, social support and patient satisfaction among the resources. CONCLUSIONS This study provided an approach to the discernment of the most critical aspects of interventions that may improve supportive care and quality of life outcomes. Thus, efforts to address current problems (e.g., financial, home life, work), as well as effective management of symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, sleep), using the coordinated integration of medical care, support services and psycho-social interventions would provide the greatest impact on quality-of-life outcomes. Interventions that focus on problem solving and reinforce patient agency and activation may be most effective in sustaining quality of life outcomes into survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas V Merluzzi
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Guangjian Zhang
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Errol J Philip
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Dayoung Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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