Design Principles for Personalized Assistance Systems that Respect Privacy

Personalized assistance systems (PAS) provide real-time assistance tailored to individual users to improve efficiency in the workplace. PAS communicate dynamically with users through wearable computing devices. To deliver such personalized assistance, PAS need personal data from the individuals who wear them. However, concerns over data protection and security can negatively influence the extent to which users accept personalized assistance systems. The key aspects in this regard that the literature currently lacks include data protection law and the employee perspective. Hence, we develop seven design principles for PAS that respect user privacy through employee-determined approaches to data collection and use. We developed the principles based on a systematic literature review, user personas, privacy control, and European Union legal requirements for privacy by design and privacy by default. Our design principles, which we evaluated in a focus group and an expert workshop, provide a framework to help practitioners and software developers mitigate adoption barriers due to privacy concerns. Our study also contributes to the theoretical discussion of current developments in personalized assistance in the workplace by providing a new perspective on ensuring employees accept the required data collection and use

Editorial for special issue: Advances in sedentary behavior research and translation

Sedentary behaviour—essentially low energy sitting time in waking hours—has emerged as an important topic in public health over the past decade or so. Although Morris and colleagues [1] analysed health outcomes of active versus seated occupations over 60 years ago, it was not until studies of TV viewing in children in the 1980s [2] that researchers started to recognise “too much sitting” as a potentially important health behaviour. Even then the rapid rise in the study of sedentary behaviour was not so evident until the early 2000s [3]–[5]. Studies on screen viewing (TV and computers), sitting at work and school, and sitting in cars have all emerged over this period, as well as a general recognition that high levels of sitting may have detrimental effects on health, and possibly be independent of levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). In the past 10–15 years there has been an exponential increase in papers addressing sedentary behaviour from the perspective of sitting, noting that many exercise physiologists still use the word 'sedentary' incorrectly by referring to those not meeting a criterion level of “sufficient” physical activity

A Literature Review on the Risks and Potentials of Tracking and Monitoring eHealth Technologies in the Context of Occupational Health Management

Employee health is increasingly important, as is the use of eHealth technologies in the private and the organizational context. This paper examines which existing eHealth technologies that support monitoring and tracking of health are applied in occupational health management (OHM) and investigates the advantages and disadvantages of their application. To pursue this intention, we analyze the current state of research with a structured literature review and provide a comprehensive overview of relevant works. The results point out advantages and disadvantages that provide the groundwork to discuss success factors for tracking and monitoring eHealth technologies in OHM. The derived success factors aim at operational, technological, operational/technological aspects of eHealth tracking and monitoring usage. Thereby, favorable outcomes such as an increase in employee health can be achieved, and participation in OHM measures can be increased. However, it can also lead to adverse outcomes such as a reduced work-life balance

Internet of Things (IoT) and the road to happiness

Purpose: This study aims to provide a systematic review about the Internet of Things (IoT) and its impacts on happiness. It intends to serve as a platform for further research as it is sparse in in-depth analysis. Design/methodology/approach: This systematic review initially observed 2,501 literary articles through the ScienceDirect and WorldCat search engines before narrowing it down to 72 articles based on subject matter relevance in the abstract and keywords. Accounting for duplicates between search engines, the count was reduced to 66 articles. To finally narrow down all the literature used in this systematic review, 66 articles were given a critical readthrough. The count was finally reduced to 53 total articles used in this systematic review. Findings: This paper necessitates the claim that IoT will likely impact many aspects of our everyday lives. Through the literature observed, it was found that IoT will have some significant and positive impacts on people's welfare and lives. The unprecedented nature of IoTs impacts on society should warrant further research moving forward. Research limitations/implications: While the literature presented in this systematic review shows that IoT can positively impact the perceived or explicit happiness of people, the amount of literature found to supplement this argument is still on the lower end. They also necessitate the need for both greater depth and variety in this field of research. Practical implications: Since technology is already a pervasive element of most people’s contemporary lives, it stands to reason that the most important factors to consider will be in how we might benefit from IoT or, more notably, how IoT can enhance our levels of happiness. A significant implication is its ability to reduce the gap in happiness levels between urban and rural areas. Originality/value: Currently, the literature directly tackling the quantification of IoTs perceived influence on happiness has yet to be truly discussed broadly. This systematic review serves as a starting point for further discussion in the subject matter. In addition, this paper may lead to a better understanding of the IoT technology and how we can best advance and adapt it to the benefits of the society

Enhancing Proprioception and Regulating Cognitive Load in Neurodiverse Populations through Biometric Monitoring with Wearable Technologies

This paper considers the realm of wearable technologies and their prospective applications for individuals with neurodivergent conditions, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The study undertakes a multifaceted analysis that encompasses biomarker sensing technologies, AI-driven biofeedback mechanisms, and haptic devices, focusing on their implications for enhancing proprioception and social interaction among neurodivergent populations. While wearables offer a range of opportunities for societal advancement, a discernable gap remains: a scarcity of consumer-oriented applications tailored to the unique physiological and psychological needs of these individuals. Key takeaways underscore the emergent promise of tailored auditory stimuli in workplace dynamics and the efficacy of haptic feedback in sensory substitution. The investigation concludes with an urgent call for multidisciplinary research aimed at the development of specific consumer applications, rigorous empirical validation, and an ethical framework encompassing data privacy and user consent. As the pervasiveness of technology in daily life continues to expand, the article posits that there is an imperative for future research to shift from generalized solutions to individualized applications, thereby ensuring that the spectrum of wearable technology truly accommodates the full scope of human neurodiversity

Measurement of Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability with Wearable Devices: A Systematic Review

Wearables are a ubiquitous trend in both commercial and academic settings as they easily enable tracking and monitoring of physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). This paper presents a literature review to survey the existing Neuro-Information-Systems (NeuroIS) literature on HR and HRV with a focus on measurement based on wearable devices. We addressed the following four research questions: Who published HR and HRV research? What kind of HR and HRV research has been published? With which wearable devices was HR and HRV measured? How reliable and valid are HR and HRV measurements based on wearable devices? Our review provides answers to these questions and concludes that further efforts are needed to advance the field from both a theoretical and methodological perspective

Enhancing Workplace Neuro Health and Productivity: The Synergy of Wearable Technology with Biophilic and Oxygenation Strategies

In the contemporary workplace, where a staggering 62% of employees reported experiencing burnout in 2023 according to a Medium article, the integration of wearable technology with biophilic and oxygenation strategies emerges as a vital Neurohemal initiative. This approach is particularly relevant for supporting neurodivergent individuals, as well as those recovering from stroke and long-COVID, in the context of return-to-office mandates. The article underscores the significance of research on increased hydrostatic pressure in circulation, particularly its impact on spinal and spinal cord blood flow during water immersion. This insight lays the groundwork for innovations like non-wet water massage devices, which could significantly aid in neurological recovery, thereby facilitating smoother reintegration into the workplace. Moreover, the fusion of biometrics with medical technology in wearables is explored, with a focus on enhancing interoception and proprioception. This technological synergy is key in activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), inducing a relaxed state conducive to effective digestion and oxygenation, crucial in mitigating workplace stress. The concept of ‘Interoceptive in Water’ is examined for its potential to improve blood flow and overall bodily function. In addition, the article advocates for the introduction of oxygenation bars in office spaces. These bars would offer a dedicated environment for enhanced oxygen intake, vital for cognitive function and stress alleviation, benefitting neurodivergent individuals, stroke survivors, and long-COVID patients. Wearables capable of detecting and correcting low oxygen or circulation issues are highlighted as essential tools for fostering a more inclusive, productive, and healthier workplace, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of NeuroHealth in the professional sphere

The role of electrocardiography in occupational medicine, from einthoven’s invention to the digital era of wearable devices

Clinical-instrumental investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), represent a corollary of a procedures that, nowadays, is called upon as part of the principles of precision medicine. However when carrying out the professional routine examinations, most tend to ignore how a “simple” instrument can offer indispensable support in clinical practice, even in occupational medicine. The advent of the digital age, made of silicon and printed circuit boards, has allowed the miniaturization of the electronic components of these electro-medical devices. Finally, the adoption of patient wearables in medicine has been rapidly expanding worldwide for a number of years. This has been driven mainly by consumers’ demand to monitor their own health. With the ongoing research and development of new features capable of assessing and transmitting real-time biometric data, the impact of wearables on cardiovascular management has become inevitable. Despite the potential offered by this technology, as evident from the scientific literature, the application of these devices in the field of health and safety in the workplace is still limited. This may also be due to the lack of targeted scientific research. While offering great potential, it is very important to consider and evaluate ethical aspects related to the use of these smart devices, such as the management of the collected data relating to the physiological parameters and the location of the worker. This technology is to be considered as being aimed at monitoring the subject’s physiological parameters, and not at the diagnosis of any pathological condition, which should always be on charge of the medical specialist We conducted a review of the evolution of the role that electrophysiology plays as part of occupational health and safety management and on its possible future use, thanks to ongoing technological innovation

THE APPLICATION OF SMARTWATCH IN MANAGING EMPLOYEE HEALTH MONITORING

ABSTRACTWorkplace health issues have continued to increase, and this has caused problems such as increasing medical cost and medical leaves. In response to these issues, employers are starting to adopt health technology to overcome the problem such as smartwatch. Smartwatch technology is a wrist-worn device provided with a variety of sensors that are available for collecting physical activity and location data in real time. This paper aims to explore the future drivers of the smartwatch application in monitoring and managing employees’ health. The research study used exploratory research design utilizing the foresight methods. STEEPV analysis was used to identify the key drivers of smartwatch application and to develop a descriptive survey for assessing the impact and uncertainty of each driver. The survey was distributed to human resources managers of medium-sized companies in Malaysia. Technology readiness of smart watch adoption was evaluated using Technology Readiness Index (TRI). Thirty-five respondents took part in online survey. From the data analysis, top two drivers had been identified which are “social interaction” and “data transparency”. These drivers were used for developing future scenario of the smartwatch application in monitoring and managing employee health in the next 5 to 10 years. Four scenarios had been discussed in this paper which are healthy workplace environment, unattainable technology adoption, inefficient technology, and low adoption of smartwatch. This research would provide additional information about the future scenario of smartwatch application in managing employee health monitoring in Malaysia. Keywords: Smartwatch; Employee Health Monitoring; Technological Readines

My data, my choice?! The difference between fitness and stress data monitoring on employees’ perception of privacy

Besides the vast distribution in the private sector, employers begin to integrate wearables in occupational health management (OHM). Through the implementation of 'stress' and 'fitness monitoring', organizations are able to invest in employees' health and well-being. While employees' consent is mandatory for the implementation, these, in turn, might perceive monitoring as a risk instead of realizing the benefits going along. By conducting an experimental study, we compare employees' perceived privacy risks/costs (PRC) and benefits (PBE) regarding the two monitoring cases. According to our results, employees interpret their stress data as rather sensitive while rating the PBE of fitness monitoring higher. Further, fair communication practices towards employees plays an essential role in the successful implementation of OHM. The research article provides theoretical and practical implications and sheds light on paths for further research regarding actual use behavior, international aspects, and employers' interests