Design and evaluation of a flexible web-based screening service for clinimetrics

Clinimetrics is gaining significance in health related and clinical disciplines. However, obtaining and accessing outcome measures in a flexible manner is an issue because of difficult-to-use programs, fixed instruments and poor access to tools and results. Hence, we developed and evaluated a novel Software-as-a-Service to create, share, conduct and manage clinical screenings and tests. The service supports a wide variety of screening instruments. These instruments can then be used in a wide variety of ways: online and offline; on smartphone, tablet and computer; guided by a professional, or self-assessed. Both tests and results can be managed and shared among peers and patients. New screenings can be designed based on standardized instruments or tailored to outcome measure requirements. The service, called ReQuest, was successfully implemented in multiple research projects. Evaluation results show good acceptance in elderly asked to use the system for self-assessments. Researchers who use the service to conduct and manage screenings, value (i) secure on-site storage, (ii) the flexibility in which they can create or reuse screenings and (iii) sharing screenings with others

Testing user-tailored e-health services in practice: results and lessons learned

This paper evaluates a patient self-management system that provides user-tailored e-health services. The system provides a set of health related services (e.g. vital sign monitoring, medication support) to elderly people. These services stem from different vendors and technological origins, yet they can be integrated and tailored to individual care needs. This paper describes the results of an evaluation of the system in a nursing home. Eight clients and 4 nurses of a nursing home tested the system in a pilot study between May and November, 2012. Results show that is possible to create a platform that enables patient-specific care. The platform provides useful applications in care. These applications can save time for caregivers, and increase self-management in patients. However, it requires investment in the learning process. The work shows that this platform successfully integrates and tailors heterogeneous sensors, actuators and services from different vendors and technological origins. Adequate personalization of selected e-health services can save time, increase health situation awareness and further patient empowerment

Interactive Scenario Visualization for User-Based Service Development

Scenarios are commonly used to develop new systems in multidisciplinary projects. However, written scenarios are sequential, not dynamic and often too abstract or difficult to understand for end users. The goal of this paper hence is to extend the use of scenarios in design methodologies, using an interactive scenario visualization (ISV) approach. After discussing scenario-based design, we show that ISV can be used beneficially to develop a new ICT system and that ISV aids in reflection upon the design trajectory. Comparing two software platforms, we found it was possible to develop such ISVs inexpensively, rapidly and with good visual quality. As a case study, we demonstrate the use of a home care telemedicine system in 3D for discussion and development purposes. An evaluation among n=22 professionals illustrates that ISVs can prove useful in design, aid in clarification of new systems, are suitable to demonstrate system functionalities, and aid in articulating feedback. Finally, we discuss generalization of the use of ISVs

Interactive scenario visualization for user-based service development

Scenarios are commonly used to develop new systems in multidisciplinary projects. However, written scenarios are sequential, not dynamic and often too abstract or difficult to understand for end users. The goal of this paper hence is to extend the use of scenarios in design methodologies, using an interactive scenario visualization (ISV) approach. After discussing scenario-based design, we show that ISV can be used beneficially to develop a new ICT system and that ISV aids in reflection upon the design trajectory. Comparing two software platforms, we found it was possible to develop such ISVs inexpensively, rapidly and with good visual quality. As a case study, we demonstrate the use of a home care telemedicine system in 3D for discussion and development purposes. An evaluation among n=22 professionals illustrates that ISVs can prove useful in design, aid in clarification of new systems, are suitable to demonstrate system functionalities, and aid in articulating feedback. Finally, we discuss generalization of the use of ISVs

Appreciating the Good Things in Life During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Evaluation of a Gratitude App

The Covid-19 pandemic has had many negative consequences on the general public mental health. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of and satisfaction with an app with gratitude exercises to improve the mental health of people with reduced mental well-being due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as potential mechanisms of well-being change and dose–response relationships. A two-armed randomized controlled trial design was used, with two groups receiving the 6-week gratitude intervention app either immediately (intervention group, n = 424) or after 6 weeks (waiting list control group, n = 425). Assessments took place online at baseline (T0), six weeks later (T1) and at 12 weeks (T2), measuring outcomes (i.e., mental well-being, anxiety, depression, stress), and potential explanatory variables (i.e., gratitude, positive reframing, rumination). Linear mixed models analyses showed that when controlled for baseline measures, the intervention group scored better on all outcome measures compared to the control group at T1 (d = .24–.49). These effects were maintained at T2. The control group scored equally well on all outcome measures at T2 after following the intervention. Effects of the intervention on well-being were partially explained by gratitude, positive reframing, and rumination, and finishing a greater number of modules was weakly related to better outcomes. The intervention was generally appealing, with some room for improvement. The results suggest that a mobile gratitude intervention app is a satisfactory and effective way to improve the mental health of the general population during the difficult times of a pandemic

Exploring associations of older adults with virtual nature: a randomised factorial online survey

Loneliness and social isolation are important social determinants of wellbeing of older adults. Conversational exchanges can promote connectedness between older adults, however, conversations may not always come easy. Research shows that exposure to nature-based stimuli such as pictures and videos can stimulate social aspirations and trigger associations that could facilitate conversations, in particular when nature scenery is perceived as fascinating, mysterious, spacious and suited for social interaction. Therefore, this study investigated whether exposure to these nature characteristics (high versus low) lead to associations that could act as conversational material. A randomised factorial design, using a virtual reality-based approach for experimental control, led to 17 different virtual representations of nature (VN). In total, 150 participants (60 years and older) were recruited for an online survey. Spontaneous associations were coded on personal engagement and valence. The number of associations was measured with one multiple-choice question. VN exposure successfully triggered personally engaging and positively valenced associations and were related to multiple associations, in particular when the VN were high on mystery. Furthermore, positive effects of VN exposure was more pronounced for participants with high (rather than low) levels of nature relatedness and many (rather than few) available nature opportunities. These findings indicate that VN exposure provides fertile ground for conversations as a means to promote connectedness and social wellbeing of older adults

Virtual Communities For Elderly Healthcare: User-Based Requirements Elicitation

Virtual communities for elderly healthcare have a potential to improve the community building process and to facilitate care services through support for activities, participation and information needs. This paper expounds on this idea by proposing a mobile virtual community (MVC) platform for elderly healthcare based on a services concept. The requirements for this platform are elicited using a method based on in-depth interview sessions with clients and caregivers in a care institution, a workshop with multiple stakeholders, and scenario-based user need analysis. We focus on the technical platform that is intended to fulfil the requirements elicited from this approach. The platform is an extension of our existing MVC platform architecture, based on service-oriented principles. It enables user-tailoring through an adaptable set of mobile and platform services. We describe the platform and discuss its current and novel services as distilled from the requirements elicitation