Older Users Research Articles

Exploration of a method for insight into accessibility design flaws based on touch dynamics

The widespread use of smartphones implies that intelligent systems must address the negative emotions experienced by a diverse user group when encountering usability difficulties. Therefore, exploring the relationship between users’ emotions and operational behaviors is crucial for further enhancing the accessibility of intelligent systems. Touch dynamics, as a method of dynamic touch data monitoring, has already provided many models for emotion recognition, which are beneficial in gaining insight into users’ accessibility needs for smartphones and exploring intelligent solutions to design issues. This paper validates this aspect through interviews and experimental studies. The study first conducted an open-ended interview, and then used a touch behavior experiment with emotional labels and a questionnaire to validate the association between accessibility design flaws in intelligent systems and user emotions. The interview results show that middle-aged and older smartphone users have difficulty activating accessibility tools independently. Consequently, this paper establishes a dataset for emotion classification based on touch gesture data, which is used to gain insight into implicit difficulties in the interaction process through negative emotions. From a touch experiment and questionnaire survey of 57 sample users, there is approximately a 78.57% match between the accessibility needs of intelligent systems and users’ negative emotions, with interaction fluency and interface cognition being the main reasons for this phenomenon. Therefore, touch dynamics, as a non-invasive method of emotion recognition, can use negative emotional feedback to gain insights into user needs that are difficult to detect by other methods. This has application value for enhancing users’ emotional experience and promoting a transformation in interaction design thinking.

Spectral degradation and carrier sentences increase age-related temporal processing deficits in a cue-specific manner.

Advancing age is associated with decreased sensitivity to temporal cues in word segments, particularly when target words follow non-informative carrier sentences or are spectrally degraded (e.g., vocoded to simulate cochlear-implant stimulation). This study investigated whether age, carrier sentences, and spectral degradation interacted to cause undue difficulty in processing speech temporal cues. Younger and older adults with normal hearing performed phonemic categorization tasks on two continua: a Buy/Pie contrast with voice onset time changes for the word-initial stop and a Dish/Ditch contrast with silent interval changes preceding the word-final fricative. Target words were presented in isolation or after non-informative carrier sentences, and were unprocessed or degraded via sinewave vocoding (2, 4, and 8 channels). Older listeners exhibited reduced sensitivity to both temporal cues compared to younger listeners. For the Buy/Pie contrast, age, carrier sentence, and spectral degradation interacted such that the largest age effects were seen for unprocessed words in the carrier sentence condition. This pattern differed from the Dish/Ditch contrast, where reducing spectral resolution exaggerated age effects, but introducing carrier sentences largely left the patterns unchanged. These results suggest that certain temporal cues are particularly susceptible to aging when placed in sentences, likely contributing to the difficulties of older cochlear-implant users in everyday environments.

Understanding ageism towards older nursing staff and service users: A systematic mapping review from the perspective of clinical leaders and healthcare managers

IntroductionAgeist attitudes negatively affect the quality of care for service users and the working conditions of older nursing staff. Clinical leaders’ perceptions of older service users and nursing staff are unknown. AimTo map research evidence on ageist attitudes in healthcare towards service users and older nursing staff, from the leadership perspective. Material and MethodsA systematic mapping review with database searches in March 2021 and May 2023). Nineteen articles (qualitative n = 13, quantitative n = 3, mixed methods n = 3) were analysed and mapped to the Nurse Executive Capability Framework. ResultsFuture planning, team building, and self-awareness are leadership categories requiring consideration. Guidelines and policies addressing the holistic needs of older service users and older nursing staff are lacking. ConclusionsOrganizational planning, team building, and self-awareness are crucial for the holistic care of older service users and for creating attractive workplaces for older nursing staff.

Attributions of Loneliness-Life Story Interviews with Older Mental Health Service Users.

There is growing evidence on the prevalence and impact of loneliness, particularly among older people. However, much less is known about the personal origins of loneliness and how it persists, or not, over an individual's life course. This study aimed to increase understanding of the personal experiences of loneliness among older adults across the life course. Central to this study was giving voice to the participants and allowing them to define loneliness, what it meant to them, and how it affected them throughout their lives. This qualitative study employed 18 life story interviews with older adults attending a mental health service. We explored their personal experiences of loneliness and the situations and factors associated with loneliness across the life course. We identified three distinct typologies of loneliness: those who experienced (1) chronic loneliness since childhood, (2) chronic loneliness after a life-changing event in midlife, and (3) loneliness which remained situational/transitional, never becoming chronic. This study found the seeds of chronic life course loneliness are often determined in childhood. Early detection and intervention may prevent situational loneliness from becoming chronic. More research is needed from a life course approach to help understand and address the causes and consequences of loneliness.

The logic of ‘home care time’

The study investigates temporal aspects of home care in Sweden, as experienced and interpreted by older care users. Data consists of 34 interviews with 36 care users and 15 participant observations during home visits by care staff. By focusing on care users’ recalibration of time and events, the analysis identifies a form of interpreted experience – here termed ‘home care time’ – that comprises two governing sublogics – care users’ understanding of themselves as part of the home care organisation, and care users’ empathetic understanding for care staff – where each sublogic evolved from several approaches where care users expressed time empathy, tried to increase time efficiency, or adapted to other care users. Some care users described attempts to take control and influence temporal aspects. Such attempts resulted in adjustments to services at the individual care user's request, but they were also associated with the risk of conflict between care users and care workers. The study addresses the gap in the literature, which mostly studies and theorises care from a care provider perspective. The logic of home care time identified in the study can explain why older people may say they are satisfied with services though poorly performed due to time shortages. This explanation is a corrective to stereotypes that portray older care users as docile and grateful.

COVID-19 InfoVaccines: A WHO-supported educational project to promote COVID-19 vaccination information among professionals and the general population

ABSTRACT COVID-19 vaccine uptake varied across countries, in part due to vaccine hesitancy fueled by a lack of trustworthy information. To help health workers provide evidence-based answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, and thereby, assist individuals´ decisions on vaccine acceptance, COVID-19 InfoVaccines, a joint WHO-EU project, was launched in February 2021 to support COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 6 Eastern European countries. COVID-19 InfoVaccines was made available in seven languages and shared on social media networks. A total of 262,592 users accessed COVID-19 InfoVaccines.com between February 11, 2021, and January 31st, 2023. The users were most interested in: general questions; vaccine efficacy and duration of protection; vaccine safety; vaccine co-administration, and dose-interval and interchangeability; though the interest in a specific theme varied in function of the epidemiological situation. A total of 118,510 (45.1%) and 46,644 (17.7%) users scrolled up to 35% and 75% of the COVID-19 InfoVaccines webpage, respectively. The average engagement rate was 71.61%. The users accessed COVID-19 InfoVaccines from 231 countries and territories, but the majority were in Ukraine (N = 38,404; 14.6%), Spain (N = 23,327; 8.9%), and Argentina (N = 21,167; 8.1%). Older Facebook users were more interested in COVID-19 information than younger individuals (X 2 p-value < .0001). Two hundred twenty-eight videos were shared on YouTube. The average Click-Through-Rate on Facebook was 7.82%, and that on YouTube was 4.4%, with 60 videos having a Click-Through-Rate >5%, falling in the range of average YouTube video Click-Through-Rate (2% – 10%). As misinformation about vaccines and vaccination spreads easily and can negatively impact health-related decisions, initiatives like COVID-19 InfoVaccines are crucial to facilitate access to reliable information.

Insights Into the Use of a Digital Healthy Aging Coach (AGATHA) for Older Adults From Malaysia: App Engagement, Usability, and Impact Study.

Digital inclusion is considered a pivotal social determinant of health, particularly for older adults who may face significant barriers to digital access due to physical, sensory, and social limitations. Avatar for Global Access to Technology for Healthy Aging (AGATHA) is a virtual healthy aging coach developed by the World Health Organization to address these challenges. Designed as a comprehensive virtual coach, AGATHA comprises a gamified platform that covers multiple health-related topics and modules aimed at fostering user engagement and promoting healthy aging. The aim of this study was to explore the perception and user experience of Malaysian older adults in their interactions with the AGATHA app and its avatar. The focus of this study was to examine the engagement, usability, and educational impact of the app on health literacy and digital skills. We performed a qualitative study among adults 60 years and older from suburban and rural communities across six states in Malaysia. Participants were purposefully recruited to ensure representation across various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Each participant attended a 1-hour training session to familiarize themselves with the interface and functionalities of AGATHA. Subsequently, all participants were required to engage with the AGATHA app two to three times per week for up to 2 weeks. Upon completion of this trial phase, an in-depth interview session was conducted to gather detailed feedback on their experiences. Overall, the participants found AGATHA to be highly accessible and engaging. The content was reported to have a comprehensive structure and was delivered in an easily understandable and informative manner. Moreover, the participants found the app to be beneficial in enhancing their understanding pertaining to health-related issues in aging. Some key feedback gathered highlighted the need for increased interactive features that would allow for interaction with peers, better personalization of content tailored to the individual's health condition, and improvement in the user-experience design to accommodate older users' specific needs. Furthermore, enhancements in decision-support features within the app were suggested to better assist users in making health decisions. The prototype digital health coaching program AGATHA was well received as a user-friendly tool suitable for beginners, and was also perceived to be useful to enhance older adults' digital literacy and confidence. The findings of this study offer important insights for designing other digital health tools and interventions targeting older adults, highlighting the importance of a user-centered design and personalization to improve the adoption of digital health solutions among older adults. This study also serves as a useful starting point for further development and refinement of digital health programs aimed at fostering an inclusive, supportive digital environment for older adults.

Are Middle-Aged and Older Adult Users of Physical Activity Monitoring Systems More Physically Active and at a Lower Risk of Locomotive Syndrome? A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Online Survey.

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for locomotive syndromes and functional limitations in middle-aged and older adults. Therefore, strategies to promote physical activity should be considered. This study investigated whether users of physical activity monitors were more physically active and exhibited a lower risk of locomotive syndrome, compared with non-users. We analyzed data from 742 Japanese adults aged 60-79 years. The participants were surveyed for their use of physical activity monitors in their daily lives. We also assessed the prevalence of locomotive syndrome. We observed significantly higher physical activity levels in users compared with non-users. Moreover, the use of a physical activity monitor was significantly associated with decreased odds of locomotive syndrome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.48). Significantly lower risk of locomotive syndrome were observed in individuals who had used a monitor for &gt;2 years (aOR=0.42) or had set a personal step goal (aOR=0.32). Physical activity monitoring may increase engagement in physical activity-associated behavior. Therefore, monitoring could serve as a useful tool to promote physical health in middle-aged and older adults.

Exploring Vaping Patterns and Weight Management-Related Concerns among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background: Electronic cigarettes or vapes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid, often containing nicotine and flavouring substances, to produce an inhalable aerosol. Despite being used as an alternative to traditional smoking, many studies have reported their health risks and ineffectiveness in smoking cessation. The impact of e-cigarettes on weight control behaviours, a known effect of traditional cigarette smoking, is unclear. Herein, a systematic review was conducted to explore the relationship between e-cigarette use and body weight changes in adolescents and young adults. Methods: The existing literature from databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar until October 2023 was searched and included in the review. The methodological quality of all selected studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklists for Studies. Results: Out of 5117 citations, 20 publications featuring cross-sectional studies with adolescent participants were qualitatively analysed. The high rates of e-cigarette usage seemed to correlate with increased weight concerns, particularly among females. Regular e-cigarette users who reported being overweight and used calorie restriction for weight reduction were more likely to view vaping as a weight loss or control strategy. Young adults (<24 years) may consume more flavoured e-cigarettes than older users (>25 years). Conclusions: This study revealed a significant use of e-cigarettes among high school students, driven by taste preferences, weight management, and perceived harm reduction. Particularly among girls facing body image pressures, vaping serves as a weight control method. This highlights the need to assess cardiovascular risks and advocate for further research, including longitudinal studies, to inform public health strategies effectively.

Chronicling menstrual cycle patterns across the reproductive lifespan with real-world data

The intricate hormonal and physiological changes of the menstrual cycle can influence health on a daily basis. Although prior studies have helped improve our understanding of the menstrual cycle, they often lack diversity in the populations included, sample size, and the span of reproductive and life stages. This paper aims to describe the dynamic differences in menstrual cycle characteristics and associated symptoms by age in a large global cohort of period-tracking application users. This work aims to contribute to our knowledge and understanding of female physiology at varying stages of reproductive aging. This cohort study included self-reported menstrual cycle and symptom information in a sample of Flo application users aged 18–55. Cycle and period length and their variability, and frequency of menstrual cycle symptom logs are described by the age of the user. Based on data logged by over 19 million global users of the Flo app, the length of the menstrual cycle and period show clear age-associated patterns. With higher age, cycles tend to get shorter (Cycle length: D¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\overline{\ ext{D}}}$$\\end{document} = 1.85 days, Cohen’s D = 0.59) and more variable (Cycle length SD: D¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\overline{\ ext{D}}}$$\\end{document} = 0.42 days, Cohen’s D = 0.09), until close to the chronological age (40–44) suggesting menopausal transition, when both cycles and periods become longer (Cycle length: D¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\overline{\ ext{D}}}$$\\end{document} = 0.86 days, t = 48.85, Cohen’s D = 0.26; Period length: D¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\overline{\ ext{D}}}$$\\end{document} = 0.08, t = 15.6, Cohen’s D = 0.07) and more variable (Cycle length SD: D¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\overline{\ ext{D}}}$$\\end{document} = 2.80 days, t = 111.43, d = 0.51; Period length SD: D¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\overline{\ ext{D}}}$$\\end{document} = 0.23 days, t = 67.81, Cohen’s D = 0.31). The proportion of individuals with irregular cycles was highest in participants aged 51–55 (44.7%), and lowest in the 36–40 age group (28.3%). The spectrum of common menstrual cycle-related symptoms also varies with age. The frequency of logging of cramps and acne is lower in older participants, while logs of headache, backache, stress, and insomnia are higher in older users. Other symptoms show different patterns, such as breast tenderness and fatigue peaking between the ages of 20–40, or mood swings being most frequently logged in the youngest and oldest users. The menstrual cycle and related symptoms are not static throughout the lifespan. Understanding these age-related differences in cycle characteristics and symptoms is essential in understanding how best to care for and improve the daily experience for menstruators across the reproductive life span.

The influence of app function evolution on transport SuperApp use behaviour over time

AbstractIn the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in smartphone apps that are designed to help users optimise their daily activities. As a result, there has been a noticeable impact on travel demand. Some of these apps have evolved with the incorporation of additional functions in a gradual transformation into multi-function apps or SuperApps, thereby providing users with more integrated and personalised services for a wider range of activities. Focusing on Transport SuperApps (TSA) in Indonesia, this study aims to investigate how app usage behaviour interacts with the evolving functions of these apps over time. The study further examines the influence of personality traits, socio-demographic factors, and residential location on app usage patterns. In this study, longitudinal data on TSA usage from 2015–2022 was collected from users in four Indonesian cities. The Latent Markov (LMM) and Negative Binomial (NBM) Models were used to analyse the transition of behaviours, app types, and the number of apps used. The findings reveal that transport and shopping services are the most popular and consistently utilised services by users. The results suggest that the introduction of new services has a positive impact on the number of TSA services used. However, some services were found to be used only temporarily, primarily serving as alternatives to support users’ daily needs and desires. Initial higher service usage was observed among educated users with sociable and disorganised personalities, while discontinuation of usage is associated with older users and affluent households. Higher transition and continuation to use more services are also observed in larger cities like Jakarta compared to smaller cities like Cianjur.

Using Two-Step Cluster Analysis and Latent Class Analysis to Construct a Typology of Internet Users Among Community-Dwelling Older People

ABSTRACT This study utilizes data, spanning 2016-2021, from the Belgian Ageing Studies and presents a typology of older internet users based on nine internet activities. Two-step Cluster Analysis and Latent Class Analysis revealed three groups: (1) “Basic users” primarily engage in information search and mailing, (2) “Allrounders” participate in nearly all internet activities and (3) “Selective users” are intermediary, predominantly using the internet for information search, mailing, e-banking and communication with (grand)children. These clusters varied in sociodemographic characteristics, with “Allrounders” being younger, more educated, wealthier and predominantly male, compared to “Selective users” and “Basic users,” respectively.

Vergence‐accommodation conflict increases time to focus in augmented reality

AbstractVergence‐accommodation conflicts (VAC) occur in near‐eye displays when the binocular disparity of the 3D rendered content (vergence) does not match the display focal distance (accommodation). VAC has been shown to reduce perceptual image quality, cognitive performance, and oculomotor coordination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of VAC on visual performance in augmented reality (AR). Specifically, we quantified the impact of AR VAC on the ‘Time to Focus’ (TTF); when the user switches focus between real‐world content and world‐locked AR‐rendered content. Our results show that TTF increases exponentially with VAC. The increase is more pronounced at closer vergence distances in displays with a focal distance of 1 D or longer. Finally, we showed that VAC may have a differential effect across age groups; specifically, older users may be affected more in closer focal and longer vergence distances.

Use Intention of Mobile Music and Audio Platforms Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults

Listening to music and audio is a main entertainment channel for middle-aged and older groups. Based on the technology acceptance model, we conducted interviews with 10 Chinese adults (M = 58.8, SD = 7.41) and a questionnaire with 355 users (M = 57.5, SD = 1.77) aged between 45 and 80 to explore the factors influencing the intention to use mobile music and audio platforms. The results reveal that perceived ease of use, social influence, satisfaction, habit, content quality, and perceived entertainment positively affect use intention, of which perceived ease of use is the most important. In addition, there is no significant difference in use intention between female and male users. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings. This study concludes six critical factors affecting the intention to use music platforms for Chinese middle-aged and older people. Platform designers should attach importance to the ease of use of platforms to make them more acceptable to middle-aged and older users.

Equity issues associated with the widespread implementation of autonomous vehicles

Abstract Autonomous vehicles (AVs), either shared or privately owned, are predicted to become a common transport mode used by the general population in coming decades. Policies governing the use of AVs may increase or decrease social inequities. This review synthesizes existing literature and provides policy recommendations to enhance equity as the use of AVs becomes more widespread. We identified nine areas in which AVs could impact equity: (i) assessment of community mobility needs and priorities, (ii) education and outreach, (iii) disparities in infrastructure quality, (iv) equitable distribution of customer services, (v) access to AVs by persons with low incomes, (vi) shared infrastructure services, (vii) barriers to shared AV use, (viii) access to AVs by persons with disabilities and (ix) disruption of existing transportation jobs. Recommendations for promoting equitable use of AVs include (i) policies governing how jurisdictions oversee AV implementation and (ii) policies addressing how jurisdictions issue permits to AV service providers. Oversight policies include ensuring input from disadvantaged communities, providing subsidies for low-income users, establishing ride-sharing rules to protect vulnerable populations, reviewing the equity implications of proposed AV infrastructure improvements, providing retraining opportunities for those who may lose jobs due to AV implementation and monitoring the impact of AV policies implemented. Permitting processes include ensuring equitable access to AVs for low-income, minority, and older users and persons with disabilities, ensuring equitable distribution of AV service areas and verifying that data from all communities are incorporated into the artificial intelligence algorithms used to guide AVs.

Assimilation of socially assistive robots by older adults: an interplay of uses, constraints and outcomes.

By supporting autonomy, aging in place, and wellbeing in later life, Socially Assistive Robots are expected to help humanity face the challenges posed by the rapid aging of the world's population. For the successful acceptance and assimilation of SARs by older adults, it is necessary to understand the factors affecting their Quality Evaluations Previous studies examining Human-Robot Interaction in later life indicated that three aspects shape older adults' overall QEs of robots: uses, constraints, and outcomes. However, studies were usually limited in duration, focused on acceptance rather than assimilation, and typically explored only one aspect of the interaction. In the present study, we examined uses, constraints, and outcomes simultaneously and over a long period. Nineteen community-dwelling older adults aged 75-97 were given a SAR for physical training for 6 weeks. Their experiences were documented via in-depth interviews conducted before and after the study period, short weekly telephone surveys, and reports produced by the robots. Analysis revealed two distinct groups: (A) The 'Fans' - participants who enjoyed using the SAR, attributed added value to it, and experienced a successful assimilation process; and (B) The 'Skeptics' - participants who did not like it, negatively evaluated its use, and experienced a disappointing assimilation process. Despite the vast differences between the groups, both reported more positive evaluations of SARs at the end of the study than before it began. Overall, the results indicated that the process of SARs' assimilation is not homogeneous and provided a profound understanding of the factors shaping older adults' QE of SARs following actual use. Additionally, the findings demonstrated the theoretical and practical usefulness of a holistic approach in researching older SARs users.

Association of Average Daily Morphine Milligram Equivalents and Falls in Older Adult Chronic Opioid Users.

Opioids remain commonly prescribed in older adults, despite the known association with falls and fall-related injuries. This retrospective cohort study sought to determine the association of opioid use and falls in older adult opioid users. Using a one-year lookback period in electronic health records, daily morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were calculated using prescription orders. Fall history was based on patient self-reporting. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the threshold of average daily MMEs at which the likelihood of falls was increased. Older opioid users were most often women and White, with 30% having fallen in the prior year. In ROC analyses (n = 590), the threshold where fall risk increased was 37 MMEs (p = 0.07). Older adults prescribed more than 37 MMEs daily may be at increased fall risk and should be targeted for deprescribing interventions. Additionally, analysis on patient characteristics and covariates suggest that sex, age, COPD, sleep apnea, cancer, and psychiatric conditions may indicate an increased risk of falls in older adults taking chronic opioids (p < 0.05). Multifactorial interventions may be needed to modify fall risk beyond medication use alone.

Characteristics of Older Adult Cannabis Users

Characteristics of Older Adult Cannabis Users

Impact of Amphetamine and Captagon abuse on the liver and renal function

Background. Addiction is a multifaceted brain disorder characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. The physiological effects of drugs, such as amphetamines and captagon, on organ functions remain a significant concern, with varying impacts based on substance type and duration of use. Aim of study. This study aimed to investigate the impact of amphetamine and captagon abuse on liver and kidney functions. By comparing physiological parameters between individuals with substance abuse history and a control group, the study sought to elucidate the health implications of long-term drug use. Methods. The study involved 50 participants: 30 with a history of substance abuse and 20 healthy controls. It assessed liver and kidney functions using biochemical and ELISA tests to measure AST, ALT, ALP, Total Serum Bilirubin, Serum Albumin, Serum Creatinine, and Blood Urea. Results. The study revealed a significant difference between drug users and controls, with drug users exhibiting higher levels of urea and serum creatinine. Liver function tests showed increased GOT, GPT and ALP levels in drug users. Furthermore, total serum bilirubin was significantly higher in drug users, indi­cating liver impairment. Age-related analysis showed more severe renal and liver dysfunction in older drug users, with notable increases in urea and serum creatinine levels with age (p=0.001 and p=0.009, respectively). Conclusion. Both amphetamines and captagon pose a significant health risk to renal and liver functions. This underscores the need for awareness and interventions targeted at mitigating the health implications of substance abuse, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and treatment strategies for affected individuals.

PENILAIAN PENGALAMAN PENGGUNA APLIKASI KESIHATAN MUDAH ALIH : KAJIAN KES DI PUSAT AKTIVITI WARGA EMAS

The elderly population in Malaysia was 6.6% in 2000, while the estimated number of elderly in 2025 increased to 13.4%. This figure will continue to grow by 20.8% by 2050. This increase requires healthier senior citizens to face the new millennium. The development of information and technology can improve the quality of life of older adults. Many technologies, such as health-based technology, can be used for older adults. Identifying the user experience (UX) components and effectiveness of older adults' health-based applications is essential to studying the effects of healthy ageing. This study was conducted to resolve questions and objectives regarding the importance of user experience for older adults and to identify the effectiveness of health-based applications. A research gap that needs to be studied is the evaluation of the improvement of guidelines for the provision of health application items for the sake of user experience. The case study method was used to explore the use of the health application developed named WESIHAT3.0. The WESIHAT3.0 mobile application is a prototype developed based on education and healthy eating for older adults. The research uses qualitative and quantitative methods, including user diaries, questionnaires and interviews. We used the user experience question (UEQ) to obtain feedback from the older adult's user experience component and the focused interview method in the case study. Respondents were selected from the Older Adults Activity Center (PAWE) in the Bandar Tun Razak area through a purposive sampling technique. The study's results found that the user experience component scale on the WESIHAT3.0 health prototype has an attractiveness value of 1.73, a pragmatic quality of 1.48, and a hedonic quality of 1.24. Improvements to the WESIHAT3.0 prototype have also been identified to add information on calories and nutritional intake by age. In conclusion, it is important to develop new technologies that can aid older adults in healthy ageing, while simultaneously ensuring that these technologies contribute positively to the digital era.