BackgroundIncreased physical activity and dietary protein intake are promising interventions to prevent or treat the age-related decline in physical performance in older adults. There are well-controlled exercise as well as dietary intervention studies that show beneficial effects on physical performance in older adults. In practice, however, weekly group based exercise or nutritional programs may not be as effective. To optimise these exercise programs for community dwelling older adults, a digitally supported and personalised home-based exercise training program has been designed aiming to improve physical performance in older adults. In addition, a protein intervention in combination with the training program may further improve physical performance in older adults.MethodsThe VITAMIN study will be a cluster randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms. In total, 240 community dwelling older adults (≥ 55 years) participating in weekly group exercise are randomly allocated into: 1) regular weekly exercise program (Control group, n = 80), 2) digitally supported personalised home-based exercise training program group (VITA group, n = 80) and 3) digitally supported personalised home-based exercise training program group plus dietary protein counselling (VITA-Pro group, n = 80). The VITAMIN study aims to evaluate effectiveness of the digitally supported personalised home-based exercise training program as well as the additional value of dietary protein on physical performance after 6 months. In addition, a 12 month follow-up measurement will assess the retaining effect of the interventions. Primary outcome is physical performance measured by the Modified Physical Performance Test (M-PPT) and relevant secondary and observational outcomes include habitual physical activity and dietary intake, body composition, cognitive performance, quality of life, compliance and tablet usage. Data will be analysed by Linear Mixed Models.DiscussionTo our knowledge, the VITAMIN study is the first study that investigates the impact of home-based exercise, protein intake as well as use of persuasive technology in the population of community dwelling older adults.Trial registrationNL56094.029.16 / NTR (TC = 5888; registered 03–06-2016).
Ageing is associated with a decline in daily functioning and mobility. A physically active life and physical exercise can minimize the decline of daily functioning and improve the physical-, psychological- and social functioning of older adults. Despite several advantages of group-based exercise programs, older adults participating in such interventions often do not meet the frequency, intensity or duration of exercises needed to gain health benefits. An exercise program that combines the advantages of group-based exercises led by an instructor with tailored home-based exercises can increase the effectiveness. Technology can assist in delivering a personalized program. The aim of the study was to determine the susceptibility of older adults currently participating in a nationwide group-based exercise program to such a blended exercise program. Eight focus-groups were held with adults of 55 years of age or older. Two researchers coded independently the remarks of the 30 participants that were included in the analysis according to the three key concepts of the Self Determination Theory: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The results show that maintaining self-reliance and keeping in touch with others were the main motives to participate in the weekly group-based exercises. Participants recognized benefits of doing additional home-based exercises, but had concerns regarding guidance, safety, and motivation. Furthermore, some participants strongly rejected the idea to use technology to support them in doing exercises at home, but the majority was open to it. Insights are discussed how these findings can help design novel interventions that can increase the wellbeing of older adults and preserve an independent living.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of a tailored, goal-directed, and exercise-based physical therapy program for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).METHODS: This was an observational, uncontrolled feasibility study. The physical therapy intervention was highly tailored to the individual patient's goals, abilities, and preferences and could include functional, strength, aerobic, and relaxation exercises. Feasibility outcomes were participation rate (expected: 25%), safety, and adherence (percentage of attended sessions relative to scheduled sessions). Additional outcomes were goal attainment, self-reported physical functioning, fatigue, health-related quality of life, and patient and physical therapist satisfaction with the program.RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (estimated participation rate: 34%) were enrolled. Three patients did not start the intervention due to early disease progression. An additional 22 patients discontinued the program prematurely, mainly due to disease progression. Median intervention adherence was 90% and no major intervention-related adverse events occurred. A goal attainment score was available for 42 patients (of whom 29 had completed the program and 13 had prematurely dropped out). Twenty-two (52%) of these patients achieved their main goal fully or largely and an additional 15 patients (36%) partially. Eighty-five percent would "definitely recommend" the program to other patients with MBC. We observed a modest improvement in patient satisfaction with physical activities (Cohen's dz 0.33).CONCLUSION: The tailored intervention program was feasible in terms of uptake, safety, and outcomes and was highly valued by patients and physical therapists. However, disease progression interfered with the program, leading to substantial dropout.TRIAL REGISTRATION: NTR register: NTR6475.
De inzet van blended care in de zorg neemt toe. Hierbij wordt fysieke begeleiding (face-to-face) met persoonlijke aandacht door een zorgprofessional afgewisseld met digitale zorg in de vorm van een platform of mobiele applicatie (eHealth). De digitale zorg versterkt de mogelijkheden van cliënten om in hun eigen omgeving te werken aan gezondheidsdoelen en handvatten tijdens de face-to-face momenten. Een specifieke groep die baat kan hebben bij blended care zijn ouderen die na revalidatie in de geriatrische revalidatiezorg (GRZ) thuis verder revalideren. Focus op zowel bewegen (door fysio- en oefentherapeut) en voedingsgedrag (door diëtist) is hierbij essentieel. Echter, na een intensieve zorgperiode tijdens hun opname wordt revalidatie veelal thuis afgeschaald en overgenomen door een ambulant begeleidingstraject of de eerste lijn. Een groot gedeelte van de ouderen ervaart een terugval in fysiek functioneren en zelfredzaamheid bij thuiskomt en heeft baat bij intensieve zorg omtrent voeding en beweging. Een blended interventie die gezond beweeg- en voedingsgedrag combineert biedt kansen. Hierbij is maatwerk voor deze kwetsbare ouderen vereist. Ambulante en eerste lijn diëtisten, fysio- en oefentherapeuten erkennen de meerwaarde van blended care maar missen handvatten en kennis over hoe blended-care ingezet kan worden bij kwetsbare ouderen. Het doel van het huidige project is ouderen én hun behandelaren te ondersteunen bij het optimaliseren van fysiek functioneren in de thuissituatie, door een blended voeding- en beweegprogramma te ontwikkelen en te testen in de praktijk. Ouderen, professionals en ICT-professionals worden betrokken in verschillende co-creatie sessies om gebruikersbehoefte, acceptatie en technische eisen te verkennen als mede inhoudelijke eisen zoals verhouding face-to-face en online. In samenspraak met gebruikers wordt de blended BITE-IT interventie ontwikkeld op basis van een bestaand platform, waarbij ook gekeken wordt naar het gebruik van bestaande en succesvolle applicaties. De BITE-IT interventie wordt uitgebreid getoetst op haalbaarheid en eerste effectiviteit in de praktijk.
Chronische pijn is een groot, complex en duur probleem en heeft een grote impact op de kwaliteit van leven van patiënten, dagelijks functioneren, stemming en ziekteverzuim. Er zijn verschillende interventies ontwikkeld die met name gericht zijn op het beïnvloeden en veranderen van het gedrag waarbij zelfmanagement een belangrijke rol speelt. Echter het bestendigen van resultaten op lange termijn blijkt een groot probleem en leidt zelfs tot terugval naar “oud” gedrag waardoor patiënten opnieuw vaak kostbare hulp gaan zoeken. Er zijn twee additionele interventies ontwikkeld in een eerder RAAK-project (SOLACE) ter voorkoming van deze terugval: “Do It Your Self” en “Waarde gerichte Doelen” , echter de werkzaamheid van deze interventies op de lange termijn is niet onderzocht. Een eerste feasibility studie lijkt veelbelovend met positieve effecten naar de bruikbaarheid van deze interventies in de betrokken revalidatiecentra. Vanuit dit werkveld maar ook vanuit de patiënten kwam nadrukkelijk de vraag om deze interventies op effectiviteit te toetsen. Dit heeft geleid tot de onderzoeksvraag; “Is een additionele interventie (do it yourself en/of waarde gerichte doelen) gericht op het blijven toepassen van aangeleerde vaardigheden na een succesvol doorlopen pijn programma effectief in het bestendigen van de resultaten op de lange termijn en leidt dit tot een afname van het zorggebruik.” Het onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd in twee werkpakketten; (1) het ontwikkelen van een bruikbare app voor de ontwikkelde interventies in samenwerking met DIO Design en (2) een effectiviteit studie in de revalidatiecentra Adelante in Hoensbroek en Maastricht, Libra R&A locatie Weert en Heliomare Revalidatie in Wijk aan Zee. De doelstelling van het consortium is om de samen met zorgprofessionals, patiënten, beroepsvereniging en ontwerpers een product ter voorkoming van terugval verder te ontwikkelen en te toetsen. Na afronding van dit project zijn de op effectiviteit getoetste additionele interventies, DIY en WD, klaar om landelijk te worden uitgerold.
The focus of the research is 'Automated Analysis of Human Performance Data'. The three interconnected main components are (i)Human Performance (ii) Monitoring Human Performance and (iii) Automated Data Analysis . Human Performance is both the process and result of the person interacting with context to engage in tasks, whereas the performance range is determined by the interaction between the person and the context. Cheap and reliable wearable sensors allow for gathering large amounts of data, which is very useful for understanding, and possibly predicting, the performance of the user. Given the amount of data generated by such sensors, manual analysis becomes infeasible; tools should be devised for performing automated analysis looking for patterns, features, and anomalies. Such tools can help transform wearable sensors into reliable high resolution devices and help experts analyse wearable sensor data in the context of human performance, and use it for diagnosis and intervention purposes. Shyr and Spisic describe Automated Data Analysis as follows: Automated data analysis provides a systematic process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modelling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions and supporting decision making for further analysis. Their philosophy is to do the tedious part of the work automatically, and allow experts to focus on performing their research and applying their domain knowledge. However, automated data analysis means that the system has to teach itself to interpret interim results and do iterations. Knuth stated: Science is knowledge which we understand so well that we can teach it to a computer; and if we don't fully understand something, it is an art to deal with it.[Knuth, 1974]. The knowledge on Human Performance and its Monitoring is to be 'taught' to the system. To be able to construct automated analysis systems, an overview of the essential processes and components of these systems is needed.Knuth Since the notion of an algorithm or a computer program provides us with an extremely useful test for the depth of our knowledge about any given subject, the process of going from an art to a science means that we learn how to automate something.
