Middle-aged Users Research Articles

Health service requirements of mHealth app users: evidence from Hangzhou, China

PurposeChina’s healthcare system is being burdened by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Therefore, this study investigated the health service requirements of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) users in Hangzhou, China. This study aimed to propose suggestions and theoretical references to improve mHealth apps and promote their development, thereby meeting public medical and health needs and creating an efficient medical service system.Design/methodology/approachWe constructed a model of health service demands using a literature review, network survey, and semi-structured interviews. We analyzed the demand attributes using the Kano model and Better-Worse index and obtained the priority ranking of demands.FindingsThe results revealed 25 demand elements in four dimensions: must-be (M), one-dimensional (O), attractive (A), and indifferent (I) requirements. The findings suggest that mHealth app developers can optimize health services by categorizing and managing health services, focusing on middle-aged users, enhancing the professionalism of health service providers, and improving the feedback mechanism.Originality/valueStudies on mHealth apps user demands, particularly on health service needs, remain scarce. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, to establish a priority ranking of user health service needs for mHealth apps. The study offers recommendations and theoretical references to optimize and improve mHealth app services.HighlightsConstruct a better health service requirements model for mHealth app users.Obtain the prioritization of demand elements in the model.Propose some management suggestions to improve mHealth apps.

Factors influencing the self-perceived mobility of active unilateral lower limb amputees assessed with the Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire: a brief report.

The Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire (PMQ 2.0) represents a reliable solution for evaluating amputees' self-perceived mobility. The study aimed to evaluate the perceived mobility of middle-aged users with a traumatic amputation using the PMQ 2.0 and to assess the influence of age, stump and phantom limb pain, amputation level, time since amputation, and prosthesis use on it. Fifty subjects were recruited. The median value of the score was higher than previously published reference values, reflecting the 'active' mobility status of the sample. The hours of prosthesis use per day explained about 21% of the variance of the questionnaire score and was a significant predictor of perceived mobility. Reference values for the recently developed PMQ 2.0 survey and relative to active, traumatic amputees were reported. As prosthesis use was a significant predictor of the amputees' perceived mobility, prolonged use of the artificial limb should be always encouraged in clinical practice.

The more engaging, the more enjoyable? Age matters in predicting perceived enjoyment with different Facebook activities.

Drawing upon uses and gratifications perspectives and socioemotional selectivity theory, this study examined the differences in the use of Facebook features among younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Furthermore, it explored the association between Facebook activities and users' perceived enjoyment for different age groups. An online survey was conducted with 647 Facebook users in the United States. An exploratory factor analysis identified four types of Facebook activities: broadcasting, directed communication, content consumption, and information regulation. The results revealed that younger users' broadcasting, content consumption, and information regulation activities substantially differed from those of older users. In addition, broadcasting and content consumption activities were more popular among younger users and more predictive of their enjoyment. Directed communication was more powerful in predicting middle-aged and older users' enjoyment. However, younger and middle-aged users' engagement with information regulation activities was negatively related to their enjoyment of Facebook. The study findings provide more nuanced knowledge regarding user experiences on social media platforms among specified age groups and practical insights into the improvement of social media by addressing their different needs.

Study on the Design of a Water Dispenser for Visually Impaired Families

In visually impaired families, there are different needs in terms of the access to drinking water, and the existing research on the design of water dispensers is insufficient. In order to solve this problem, a diverse analysis, based on the inclusive design concept, of household users’ operating abilities and water dispenser preferences was carried out. Subsequently and guided by the analysis, a new water dispenser product was developed. The methods used to extrapolate the needs of visually impaired families were observation and interviews, while the questionnaire research was used to understand the user preferences. Secondly, the accessibility of the existing water dispenser was tested for visually impaired, elderly, middle-aged, and young users in the visually impaired family. Three design strategies were proposed that combine the needs and product preferences of the users: the multimode simplification of steps, water quality detection, and adaptive multichannel feedback. The water dispenser was redesigned on the basis of these. On the premise of meeting the different abilities of the users in visually impaired families, the design practice improves the users’ experience of water dispensers, and provides a practical method reference that has value for related product designs.

Analysis on the Influencing Factors of Acceptance Willingness of Advertisement in WeChat Moments based on Theory of Planned Behavior

In the era of the Internet, advertisements in WeChat moments hold been pouring in and favored by businesses. But as the number of advertisements in WeChat moments increases, the quality is uneven. Users have different attitudes towards it, and some users even loathe it. How to meet the needs of users, accurately capture the interests of users and improve the acceptance of users is still an urgent problem to be discussed. Based on the theoretical framework of planned behavior and questionnaire survey, this paper explores the influencing factors of acceptance willingness of advertisement in the information flow of WeChat moments. Research shows that control belief has the most significant impact on users’ acceptance willingness. Different age and income levels also have impacts on users’ acceptance willingness. Young and middle-aged users and middle-income groups have a higher degree of acceptance of WeChat advertisement. Therefore, opinion leaders can be used to positively guide users to accept the subjective norms of advertisements in WeChat moments. In terms of the content and form of advertisement, researchers can enrich the content of advertisement and simplify the participation steps to improve users’ belief in control. In addition, developers can use big data to identify target users and implement precise delivery. Moreover, they can capture users’ behavioral willingness to enhance users’ acceptance of advertisements in WeChat moments.

Middle-aged and elderly users\u2019 continuous usage intention of health maintenance-oriented WeChat official accounts: empirical study based on a hybrid model in China

BackgroundAlthough middle-aged and elderly users are the main group targeted by health maintenance-oriented WeChat official accounts (HM-WOAs), few studies have explored the relationship of these accounts and their users. Exploring the factors that influence the continuous adoption of WOAs is helpful to strengthen the health education of middle-aged and elderly individuals.ObjectiveWe developed a new theoretical model and explored the factors that influence middle-aged and elderly individuals' continuous usage intention for HM-WOA. Performance expectancy mediated the effects of the model in explaining continuous usage intention and introduced health literacy into the model.MethodsWe established a hybrid theoretical model on the basis of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 model (UTAUT2), the health belief model (BHM), protection motivation theory (PMT), and health literacy. We collected valid responses from 396 middle-aged and elderly users aged ≥ 45 years in China. To verify our hypotheses, we analyzed the data using structural equation modeling.ResultsPerformance expectancy (β = 0.383, P < 0.001), hedonic motivation (β = 0.502, P < 0.001), social influence (β = 0.134, P = 0.049), and threat appraisal (β = 0.136, P < 0.001) positively influenced middle-aged and elderly users' continuous usage intention. Perceived health threat (β = − 0.065, P = 0.053) did not have a significant effect on continuous usage intention. Both threat appraisal (β = 0.579, P < 0.001) and health literacy (β = 0.579, P < 0.001) positively affected performance expectancy. Threat appraisal indirectly affected continuous usage intention through performance expectancy mediation.ConclusionsOur new theoretical model is useful for understanding middle-aged and elderly users' continuous usage intention for HM-WOA. Performance expectancy plays a mediation role between threat appraisal and continuous usage intention, and health literacy positively affects performance expectancy.

Effects of Empirical Values of Kiosk Service Quality on User Satisfaction and Continuous Usage Intention : Based on Middle-Aged Kiosk Users

본 연구는 고령화의 시대에 실질적 구매력을 가진 중장년층들의 키오스크 사용 후 경험적 가치와 소비자 만족도의 관계를 알아보고 소비자 만족도에 따른 지속적 사용 의도에 관한 연구를 하여 영향 관계를 밝히고자 한다. 따라서 중장년층 소비자들이 키오스크를 이용한 후 경험에 근거하여 경험적 가치를 고찰해보고 이에 따른 소비자 만족도, 지속적 사용 의도에 대한 이론을 연구하였다. 분석을 위하여 이론적 배경을 토대로 연구모형을 구성하였고 모형을 바탕으로 실증분석을 위해 키오스크 이용 경험이 있는 중장년층을 대상으로 한 달 동안 설문 조사를 실시하였다. 연구결과를 요약하면 중장년층 소비자의 키오스크 이용 후 경험적 가치 중 쾌락적 가치를 제외하고 실용적 가치, 경제적 가치의 순으로 소비자 만족도에 정(+)의 영향력을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 중장년층 소비자의 키오스크 이용 후 경험적 가치는 지속적 사용 의도에 유의미한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났고 그중 실용적 가치가 비교적 높은 영향력을 미치고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 마지막으로 중장년층 소비자의 키오스크 이용 후 소비자 만족도는 지속적 사용 의도에 유의미한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

Relationships between leisure involvement and quality of life among users of public sports centre aged 45 years and older

ABSTRACT Leisure participation and physical activity have emerged as important issues in discussions on ageing and the improvement of life quality. The aim of this study is to understand the relationships between leisure involvement and quality of life among users of public sports centre in Taiwan. Questionnaires were distributed to users aged 45 years or older across four sports centres. A total of 502 valid questionnaires were analysed. A reliability analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted employing the statistical software PASW 18.0 for Windows. The results indicate that leisure involvement produces significant positive quality-of-life outcomes, especially in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains. This study improves understanding of how leisure involvement affects quality of life among middle-aged and older users of public sports centres. The research concludes with practical implications and suggestions for future research.

An extended online purchase intention model for middle-aged online users

This article focuses on examining the determinants and mediators of the purchase intention of non-online purchasers between ages 31 and 60 who mostly have strong purchasing power. It proposes a new online purchase intention model by integrating the technology acceptance model with additional determinants and adding habitual online usage as a new mediator. Based on a sample of more than 300 middle-aged non-online purchasers, beyond some situationally-specific predictor variables, online purchasing attitude and habitual online usage are key mediators. Personal awareness of security only affects habitual online usage, indicating a concern of middle-aged users. Habitual online usage is a more influential mediator than attitude for enhancing the perceptual online purchase readiness. Once a strong habit forms, behavioral intention is guided by habit not attitude. This model illustrates the role of habitual online usage related to purchase intentions. The findings have implications for researchers, online marketers and retailers with targets in the middle-aged market segment, assisting them to understand the target group’s characteristics and formulate better online strategies.

The adoption and use of WeChat among middle-aged residents in urban China

This study explores the adoption and use of WeChat, the most popular mobile instant messaging (MIM) platform in China, among middle-aged residents in urban China. Previous technology diffusion studies have paid little attention to this demographic. Based on diffusion of innovations and uses and gratifications theory, the study aims to identify the predictors of adoption and use of WeChat by middle-aged individuals. Data were collected in Xiamen from a sample of 300 tourists aged from 36 to 60 years. The results showed that the perceived relative advantages of WeChat significantly predicted its adoption by the middle-aged users in the sample. However, the effects in predicting usage were limited when the perceived need for WeChat were taken into account. In addition, the results indicated that demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, and income) and personal innovativeness were significant predictors of the adoption and use of WeChat among middle-aged individuals.

Increasing Microsoft Office Usability for Middle-Aged and Elder Users with Less Computer Literacy

Increasing Microsoft Office Usability for Middle-Aged and Elder Users with Less Computer Literacy

Comparison of the middle-aged and older users’ adoption of mobile health services in China

ObjectiveGiven the increasing number of older people, China has become an aging society. A mobile health service is a type of health informatics that provides personalized healthcare advice to those who require it, especially the older people and the middle-aged. However, few studies consider the adoption of mobile health services with regard to older and middle-aged users. This paper explored a research model based on the value attitude behavior model, theory of planned behavior, and four aging characteristic constructs to investigate how older and middle-aged citizens adopted mobile health services. MethodThe hypothesized model was empirically tested using data collected from a survey of 424 residents older than 40 years in China. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the significance of the path coefficients. ResultsThe findings revealed that (1) perceived value, attitude, perceived behavior control, and resistance to change can be used to predict intention to use mobile health services for the middle-aged group; (2) perceived value, attitude, perceived behavior control, technology anxiety, and self-actualization need positively affected the behavior intention of older users; and (3) subjective norm and perceived physical condition showed no significant effects on the behavior intention to use mobile health services for the two groups. The theoretical and practical implications and contributions of this study are then discussed.

Examining the impact of opioid analgesics on crash responsibility in truck drivers involved in fatal crashes

IntroductionCommercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, particularly drivers of large trucks continue to be a population of concern regarding traffic safety despite the reduction in large truck crash rates over the past decade. Medication and drug use while driving is one important risk factor for large truck crashes. Work-related exposures, such as vibration, manual handling and poor ergonomics contribute to an increased risk for injuries and chronic conditions and are common reasons for opioid analgesic (OA) use by CMV truck drivers. The objectives of this study were to examine the role of OA use in CMV truck drivers involved in fatal crashes by: (a) generating prevalence estimates of OA use; (b) documenting the relationship between OA use and crash responsibility. MethodsCase-control study using logistic regression to compare Fatality Analysis Reporting System (1993–2008) record of one or more crash-related unsafe driver actions (UDAs – a proxy measure of responsibility) between drivers with a positive drug test and drivers with a negative drug test for OA, controlling for age, other drug use, and driving history. ResultsThe annual prevalence of OA use among all CMV drivers of large trucks involved in fatal crashes did not exceed 0.46% for any year in the study period and mostly ranged between 0.1 and 0.2%. Male truck drivers using OA had greater odds of committing an UDA (OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.64; 4.81). Middle-aged users had greater odds than younger or older users. ConclusionThe results of our study indicate that the presence of OAs is associated with greater odds of committing an UDA. This association may have implications for the commercial transport industry and traffic safety. However, the limited prevalence of OA use is encouraging and further research is needed to address the limitations of the study.

Using Hierarchical Multivariate Analysis to Examine Interactions Between Alternative Appraisals of Cancer and Virtual Health Support Among Middle-Aged and Older Internet Users

The advent of online communication is transforming how older adults find social support with a community of peers who cope with similar health issues. This article explores whether participation in virtual health support groups demonstrates a significant interaction with users’ appraisal of their illness experience and predicts self-reappraisal among adults 50 years of age and older ( N = 157). Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrate the significance of the combined effect of virtual health support and its interaction with illness appraisal measures to predict the outcome variable of self-reappraisal. The results indicate that even though appraisal of cancer as a traumatic experience reduces positive self-reappraisal, those who appraised their illness to have been a traumatic experience perceived virtual support to be more influential on their sense of positive change after cancer. In contrast, perceived benefit of virtual support on positive self-appraisal is reduced if illness is appraised as an opportunity for personal growth.

Adult Tobacco Cessation in Cambodia

This study determined factors associated with quitting tobacco in Cambodia, a country with a high prevalence of men who smoke and women who use smokeless tobacco. As part of a nationwide survey, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 5145 current and 447 former tobacco users who had quit for ≥ 2 years. Determinants of quitting in multivariate analyses were age >48 years, age at initiation >25 years, ≥ 7 years of education, income ≥ 1 US dollar per day, professional (odds ratio [OR] = 2.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-5.01) or labor (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.10-3.56) occupations, and heart disease (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.10, 3.42). Smokeless tobacco users were 10-fold less likely to quit (OR = 0.10; 95% = CI 0.05-0.20) than smokers. In conclusion, tobacco cessation among Cambodians was lower than in nations with decades of comprehensive tobacco control policies. Tobacco cessation programs and policies should include all forms of tobacco and target young to middle-aged users before onset of disease and premature death.

Road traffic accidents and psychotropic medication use in the Netherlands: a case–control study

To examine the association between the use of commonly prescribed psychotropic medications and road traffic accident risk. A record-linkage database was used to perform a case-control study in The Netherlands. The data came from three sources: pharmacy prescription data, police traffic accident data and driving licence data. Cases were defined as drivers, who had a traffic accident that required medical assistance between 2000 and 2007. Controls were defined as adults, who had a driving licence and had no traffic accident during the study period. Four controls were matched for each case. The following psychotropic medicine groups were examined: antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, and antidepressants stratified in the two groups, SSRIs and other antidepressants. Various variables, such as age, gender, medicine half-life and alcohol use, were considered for the analysis. Three thousand nine hundred and sixty-three cases and 18,828 controls were included in the case-control analysis. A significant association was found between traffic accident risk and exposure to anxiolytics (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.11, 2.15), and SSRIs (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.31, 3.14). A statistically significant increased risk was also seen in chronic anxiolytic users, females and young users (18 to 29 years old), chronic SSRI users, females and middle-aged users (30 to 59 years old), and intermediate half-life hypnotic users. The results of this study support previous findings and confirm that psychoactive medications can constitute a problem in traffic safety. Both health care providers and patients should be properly informed of the potential risks associated with the use of these medicines.

Notebook input devices put to the age test: the usability of trackpoint and touchpad for middle-aged adults

In two experiments, the usability of input devices integrated into computer notebooks was under study. The most common input devices, touchpad (experiment 1) and trackpoint (experiment 2) were examined. So far, the evaluation of mobile input devices has been restricted to younger users. However, due to ongoing demographic change, the main target group of mobile devices will be older users. Therefore, the present study focused on ageing effects. A total of 14 middle-aged (40–65 years) and 20 younger (20–32 years) users were compared regarding speed and accuracy of cursor control in a point-click and a point-drag-drop task. Moreover, the effects of training were addressed by examining the performance increase over time. In total, 640 trials per task and input device were executed. The results show that ageing is a central factor to be considered in input device design. Middle-aged users were significantly slower than younger users when executing the different tasks. Over time, a significant training effect was observed for both devices and both age groups, although the benefit of training was greater for the middle-aged group. Generally, the touchpad performance was higher than the trackpoint performance in both age groups, but the age-related performance decrements were less distinct when using the touchpad.

연령별 휴대폰 사용실태에 관한 연구

With the new technology and the popularization of mobile phone. the functions and designs of mobile phone have been varied rapidly. However. based on the user's level of familiarity on mobile phone function and knowledge of information technology. the using behaviors of mobile phone. especially between the young users who are well acquainted with the latest function and technology and the over middle-aged users who are relatively not. would be quite different. A survey was conducted to investigate the various using behaviors of mobile phone in different age groups. The total number of six hundred and sixty-seven people from age seventeen to sixty participated in this study. The participants were divided into young group (age between 17 to 29) and the over middle-aged group (age between 40 to 60) to compare the difference group considered design. price. and function of the mobile phone as three important factors. on the other hand. the over middle-aged group considered quality of communication. price and ease of use as three important factors. All the respondents of the young group know how to use the text messaging function. however for the over middle-aged group. 40% of the respondents knows how to use the text messaging function. The over middle-aged group seemed mainly use the mobile phone for voice communication. however the young group had a tendency to communicate each other with short text message rather than through voice conversation. Twenty percentage of young group responded that they had an experience of pain or discomfort at the thumb. the thenar eminence area. or carpus area during pushing the mobile phone keypad. The excessive frequent use of keypad may cause the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI). The results of this study could provide important information to understand the way of using mobile phone in different age groups. and also could be used to design and market the mobile phone.<br/>

VDT eyeglasses—multifocal lenses for near distance use

This paper discussed eyeglasses for middle-aged video display terminal (VDT) users and how middle-aged VDT users can obtain the proper eyeglasses for task that they perform in their office. First, the loss of visual function of middle-aged workers and the characteristics of modern eyeglass lenses are described in terms of VDT use. Then, a method for selecting the proper VDT glasses from an eyeglass shop was described. The discussion is particularly important in countries like Japan, where most workers do not have at their disposal experts to assist in the selection of the proper eyewear for their work-related tasks.

Relationships Between Patient Characteristics and Unsuccessful Substance Abuse Detoxification

Objective: History and laboratory evaluations are common for patients entering substance abuse detoxification programs. We sought to identify if patient history and laboratory characteristics entering a detoxification program were associated with unsuccessful detoxification. Design: Retrospective cohort study of 186 patients of a residential-inpatient short-term medical detoxification facility. Unsuccessful detoxification was defined as leaving for urgent medical referral or against program advice. Results: Patients were predominantly male, middle-aged, minority, unemployed, and poly-substance users. Twenty-four patients (13%) did not complete the detoxification program (4 left for urgent medical referral, 20 left against program advice). Unsuccessful detoxification was associated with nausea and/or vomiting (p = 0.032), Caucasian race (p = 0.002), and opiates as a drug of choice (p = 0.018). Laboratory abnormalities were common but none were associated with unsuccessful detoxification. Conclusions: For patients admitted to a medically monitored detoxification facility, few patient characteristics were associated with detoxification outcome. Routine admission laboratories without clinical correlation may be unwarranted.