Research Unit on Ageing, Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Zollernring 26, Ulm, 89073, Germany, 49 731187 ext 191.
Institute for Geriatric Research, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
JMIR Hum Factors. 2024 Aug 2;11:e53811. doi: 10.2196/53811.
Assistive technologies (ATs) have the potential to promote the quality of life and independent living of older adults and, further, to relieve the burden of formal and informal caregivers and relatives. Technological developments over the last decades have led to a boost of available ATs. However, evidence on the benefits and satisfaction with ATs in real-world applications remains scarce.
This prospective, real-world, pilot study tested the perceived benefit and satisfaction with different ATs in the real-world environment.
Community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 and their relatives tested a tablet computer with a simplified interface or a smartwatch with programmable emergency contacts for 8 weeks in their everyday life. Perceived benefits and satisfaction with ATs were assessed by all older adults and their relatives using different assessment tools before and after the intervention. Outcome measures included the Technology Usage Inventory, Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure.
A total of 17 older adults (tablet computer: n=8, 47% and smartwatch: n=9, 53%) and 16 relatives (tablet computer: n=7, 44% and smartwatch: n=9, 56%) were included in the study. The number of participants that were frail (according to the Clinical Frailty Scale) and received care was higher in the smartwatch group than in the tablet computer group. Older adults of the smartwatch group reported higher technology acceptance (Technology Usage Inventory) and satisfaction (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0) scores than those of the tablet computer group, although the differences were not significant (all P>.05). In the tablet computer group, relatives had significantly higher ratings on the item intention to use than older adults (t12.3=3.3, P=.006). Identified everyday issues with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure included contact/communication and entertainment/information for the tablet computer, safety and getting help in emergency situations for the smartwatch, and the usability of the AT for both devices. While the performance (t8=3.5, P=.008) and satisfaction (t8=3.2, P=.01) in these domains significantly improved in the smartwatch group, changes in the tablet computer group were inconsistent (all P>.05).
This study highlights the remaining obstacles for the widespread and effective application of ATs in the everyday life of older adults and their relatives. While the results do not provide evidence for a positive effect regarding communication deficits, perceived benefits could be shown for the area of safety. Future research and technical developments need to consider not only the preferences, problems, and goals of older adults but also their relatives and caregivers to improve the acceptability and effectiveness of ATs.
辅助技术（ATs）有潜力提高老年人的生活质量和独立生活能力，进一步减轻正式和非正式照顾者和亲属的负担。过去几十年的技术发展导致可用 ATs 的数量增加。然而，关于实际应用中 AT 的益处和满意度的证据仍然很少。
本前瞻性、真实世界的试点研究测试了在真实环境中不同 AT 的感知益处和满意度。
年龄≥65 岁的社区居住成年人及其亲属在日常生活中使用简化界面的平板电脑或具有可编程紧急联系人的智能手表进行 8 周的测试。所有老年人及其亲属在干预前后使用不同的评估工具评估对 AT 的感知益处和满意度。结果测量包括技术使用清单、魁北克用户对辅助技术满意度评估 2.0 和加拿大职业表现测量。
共有 17 名老年人（平板电脑：n=8，47%和智能手表：n=9，53%）和 16 名亲属（平板电脑：n=7，44%和智能手表：n=9，56%）参与了这项研究。根据临床虚弱量表，智能手表组中虚弱和接受护理的参与者人数高于平板电脑组。智能手表组的老年人报告的技术接受度（技术使用清单）和满意度（魁北克用户对辅助技术满意度评估 2.0）评分高于平板电脑组，尽管差异不显著（均 P>.05）。在平板电脑组中，亲属对“使用意图”项的评分明显高于老年人（t12.3=3.3，P=.006）。加拿大职业表现测量确定的日常问题包括平板电脑的联系/沟通和娱乐/信息，智能手表的安全和紧急情况下的帮助，以及两种设备的 AT 的可用性。虽然智能手表组的性能（t8=3.5，P=.008）和满意度（t8=3.2，P=.01）在这些领域显著提高，但平板电脑组的变化不一致（均 P>.05）。
本研究强调了在老年人及其亲属的日常生活中广泛有效地应用 AT 仍然存在的障碍。虽然结果并未提供有关沟通缺陷的积极影响的证据，但可以证明在安全领域的感知益处。未来的研究和技术发展不仅需要考虑老年人的偏好、问题和目标，还需要考虑他们的亲属和照顾者，以提高 AT 的可接受性和有效性。
