Daily Life Status Research Articles

High-precision flexible sweat self-collection sensor for mental stress evaluation

As a stress hormone existing in the human body, cortisol can reflect the psychological stress and health status in daily life, and is a potential biomarker of the body’s stress response. To effectively collect sweat and accurately identify the target, this paper reports a flexible wearable cortisol detection device with outstanding reliability and sensitivity. Molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) ensures cortisol specificity. And carbon nanotubes (CNT) on electrodes increase sensitivity, expanding the detection range to 10−3 to 104 nM, with sensitivity at 189.2 nA/lg(nM). In addition, porous chitosan hydrogel (PCSH) collects sweat effectively, its adhesive properties and 80% swelling rate offer a low-cost alternative to microfluidics. Flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and serpentine electrode (SE) ensure device durability. This non-invasive, highly sensitive device offers a novel method for mental stress monitoring and clinical diagnosis, advancing human physiological state monitoring.

Exploratory analysis of swallowing behaviour in community-dwelling older adults using a wearable device: Differences by age and ingestant under different task loads.

To develop a new method of evaluating swallowing behaviour. Sixty-nine healthy participants were divided into a younger (16 males and 16 females, mean age 39.09 ± 12.16 years) and older (18 males and 19 females, mean age 71.43 ± 5.50 years) group. The participants ingested water and yoghurt twice (directed and free swallowing) at rest and after performing simple daily life tasks (calculation and exercise). To measure swallowing frequency, we employed a smartphone-based, portable and neck-worn swallowing-sound-monitoring device. This device monitors swallowing behaviour continuously by collecting biological sounds from the neck without imposing behavioural restrictions. A neural network model of swallowing sound identification by deep learning was used for the subsequent evaluation. This device was used to obtain two types of saliva-swallowing sounds associated with different ingestants, at rest and after performing a stimulating task. Furthermore, we assessed the associated subjective psychological states. The younger group showed a higher directed swallowing frequency (for both water and yoghurt) than the older group did. Regarding the type of ingestant, the swallowing frequency for yoghurt was higher during free swallowing in both the young and the older groups. 'Feeling calm' was reported significantly more often in the older group after swallowing yoghurt following exercise. Swallowing status in daily life was measured non-invasively using a wearable mobile device. It is important to consider the type of ingestant, daily living activities, and age when assessing swallowing.

Effects of COVID-19 Experience on Physical Activity and Functional Status in Daily Life

Effects of COVID-19 Experience on Physical Activity and Functional Status in Daily Life

Design of College Students' physical health monitoring APP based on sports health big data

AbstractAt present, the living habits of college students are relatively poor, and the amount of exercise is reduced, leading to their physical fitness getting worse and worse. Therefore, people began to study the physical health monitoring of college students. Machine learning and high‐performance computing in medical applications provide technical support for intelligent medical technology. With the rapid development of computer network, human beings have entered the information and digital era, and sports health big data has become more and more popular. The combination of sports health big data and student physical health monitoring technology, in a sense, can realize automatic data processing through intelligent medical and sports health database and other information technologies, thus promoting the popularization of health monitoring technology. However, the current health monitoring equipment has many problems, such as complex collection, low accuracy and limited processing of health data. To solve this problem, this paper developed an Application (APP) based on sports health big data technology that can monitor multiple vital signs such as human heart rate and body temperature, and analyze the physical health of college students, so that college students can easily understand their health status in daily life, so as to promote the healthy development of students' physique and encourage them to actively participate in physical exercise. The experiment proved that, in the heart rate monitoring, when the speed is 6 km/h, the error rate of the college students' physical health monitoring APP designed in this paper is 8.15%. The average accuracy rate of student steps monitoring is 97.12%. This showed the accuracy and availability of the APP's monitoring function for human vital signs. It has certain application value and significance to help students improve their physical quality.

Non-contact Blood Pressure Estimation Method Based on Blood Pressure Category Classification.

In recent years, non-contact Blood Pressure (BP) measurement has been attracting attention for measuring our health status in daily life. A Doppler radar can observe pulse waves caused by chest wall displacement due to heartbeat. BP can be estimated by constructing a BP estimation model using BP-related features obtained from the pulse wave. However, compared to when modeling for each subject, the BP esti-mation accuracy deteriorates significantly when modeling with multiple subjects including the testing subject. To deal with this limitation, BP category classification has been introduced into PhotoPlethysmoGraphy (PPG)-based BP estimation. In this paper, we develop a Doppler radar-based BP estimation method based on BP category classification. In the proposed method, the pulse waves extracted from a Doppler radar are classified into three categories, "Low BP", "Normal BP", and "High BP" by k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) based on the features that correlate with BP. The SBP estimation model is trained for each BP category. After the BP category classification, SBP is then estimated by using the model corresponding to the classified BP category. The experimental results showed that the proposed method with BP category classification estimated SBP accurately, compared to without BP category classification.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Results of Rehabilitation in Patients After Stroke: A 3-Month Observational Follow-Up Study.

BackgroundWe assessed the relationship between body mass index and results of rehabilitation in stroke patients.Material/MethodsThe study was carried out at the Clinical Rehabilitation Ward with Early Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at the Clinical Hospital. The examinations were performed 3 times. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 128 subjects were qualified for the first examination, the second examination involved 114 subjects, and 100 stroke patients participated in the third examination. Body mass was examined with an accuracy of 0.1 kg, using a Tanita MC–780 MA body composition analyser. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all of the subjects. Effects of rehabilitation were assessed with the Barthel index and Ashworth scale.ResultsHigher functional status in daily life, measured with the Barthel scale, was found in patients with normal body mass, compared to the overweight and obese subjects (examination I, II, and II). Exam I showed that before rehabilitation the overweight patients obtained significantly higher results in assessment of upper limbs, based on the Ashworth scale (mean=0.35±0.54) compared to the obese patients (mean=0.03±0.32) and those with normal body weight (mean=0.24±0.75).ConclusionsFollowing hospital-based rehabilitation, patients with normal body mass achieved greater functional efficiency. The findings also show a trend towards normalization of BMI. The positive effect of rehabilitation was sustained for 3 months (Exam III), which may contribute to decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases and complications such as stroke.

The Effect of Pender Model on Elderly Health Promotion Behaviors in Iran

Background: The statistical indices show rapid aging in Iran’s population. World health organization considers physical activity as the health index in a society. Therefore, one of the best ways to evaluate the health of the elderly is the evaluation of functional status in daily life. Pender health promotion is an appropriate framework to help you diagnose and understand the effective factors on physical activity promotion behaviors. Aim of this study is evaluating the effectiveness of Pender model on elderly health promotion behaviorsreferring towelfare centers. Method: The present study is a quantitative and semi-experimental study. 95 elderly were investigated using multi-stage sampling method in an intervention group and control group.In order to collect data, a physical activity questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire "Pender Health Promotion Model for Physical Activity" were used. After confirming the validity of the questionnaire by the experts, in order to determine the reliability, a questionnaire was provided to 50 elderly people and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient 88 was obtained. For statistical analysis, t-test and correlation were used in the software SPSS 16. Result:The results showed that there was no significant difference between the physical activity of the elderly in the experimental and control groups before intervention, but after intervention, physical activity of the experimental group showed a significant increase (p <0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, it is recommended that from all nine proposed constructs that are in the form of a Healthy Phenomenor Model should be used in the educational interventions planning to promote health behaviors, including physical activity.

Gender Bias in Javanese Society: A Study in Language Forms Choice to Men and Women

This research aimed to reveal different ways of thinking of society for men’s and women’s positions from the sociolinguistic point of view to accomplish the previous research. The research was conducted by studying language data in sentence formation on short story (fiction) and article (nonfiction). The short story and article used as data sources originated from internet media. This research used a qualitative descriptive method. The data were analyzed using equality and distributional methods. The finding data are classified into two: language form choice difference is based on linguistic factor and non-linguistic factor. Linguistic factor includes morphology, lexicon, phrase, compounds words, idiom. Non-linguistic factor includes the use of husband’s and wife’s names; call of husband’s name after wife’s proper name. The research shows that gender bias in Javanese society is expressed in differences in language forms choice to men and women. The language forms obtained from the data covers differences in language forms choice as caused by a social way of thinking to men’s and women’s status in daily life.

Optimal cut-off value for equol-producing status in women: The Japan Nurses' Health Study urinary isoflavone concentration survey.

Equol is one of the most active soy isoflavones. When the association between soy food intake in daily life and health outcomes is examined in epidemiological studies, it is important to define the equol-producing status of each individual. However, few studies have assessed equol-producing status without a soy challenge test. To determine a robust cutoff criterion for equol producer classification in observational studies, we conducted a urinary isoflavone concentration survey in daily life among women. Furthermore, we examined the association between eating habits regarding soy foods and equol-producing status. A total of 4,412 participants were included in the analyses. Urinary isoflavones were analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography method. We examined the distribution of the log10 equol/daidzein ratios, finding a mixture of two normal distributions, corresponding to equol producer and non-producer subpopulations. Applying a finite mixture model, we estimated the means, standard deviations, and mixing proportions of these two distributions. The estimation was carried out using the SAS NLIN procedure. The optimal cutoff point for the log10 equol/daidzein ratio in the study population was determined to be −1.42, according to the estimated parameters of the mixture distribution. Based on this criterion, 1,830 (41.5%) of the participants were identified as equol producers. Compared with non-consumers of soy foods, consumers of soy foods had significantly higher odds of being equol producers. Using log10-transformed equol/daidzein ratios ≥ −1.42 to define equol producers among Japanese women is reasonable and suitable for determining equol-producing status in epidemiological studies. We found that soy food eating habits were associated with equol-producing status. Further investigation is required to evaluate associations between equol-producing status in daily life and health outcomes. The results of this study suggest the best cutoff point to use in the definition of equol-producing status in daily life.

Self-Ratings of Vocal Status in Daily Life: Reliability and Validity for Patients With Vocal Hyperfunction and a Normative Group.

The aim of this study was to establish reliability and validity for self-ratings of vocal status obtained during the daily activities of patients with vocal hyperfunction (VH) and matched controls. Eight-four patients with VH and 74 participants with normal voices answered 3 vocal status questions-difficulty producing soft, high-pitched phonation (D-SHP); discomfort; and fatigue-on an ambulatory voice monitor at the beginning, 5-hr intervals, and the end of each day (7 total days). Two subsets of the patient group answered the questions during a 2nd week after voice therapy (29 patients) or laryngeal surgery (16 patients). High reliability resulted for patients (Cronbach's α = .88) and controls (α = .95). Patients reported higher D-SHP, discomfort, and fatigue (Cohen's d = 1.62-1.92) compared with controls. Patients posttherapy and postsurgery reported significantly improved self-ratings of vocal status relative to their pretreatment ratings (d = 0.70-1.13). Within-subject changes in self-ratings greater than 20 points were considered clinically meaningful. Ratings of D-SHP, discomfort, and fatigue have adequate reliability and validity for tracking vocal status throughout daily life in patients with VH and vocally healthy individuals. These questions could help investigate the relationship between vocal symptom variability and putative contributing factors (e.g., voice use/rest, emotions).

Exploring the relation between positive emotions and the functional status of older adults living independently: a systematic review

ABSTRACTObjectives: Literature suggests that positive emotions positively influence physiological parameters but their relation to functioning in the daily life of older adults living independently remains unclear. The present work aims to investigate the relation between positive emotions and functional status in daily life of older people living independently.Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus electronic databases. Included works were peer-reviewed empirical studies that analysed the relation between positive emotions and ability to perform activities of daily living with older adults living independently.Results: After removal of duplicates, 10 out of 963 papers met the inclusion criteria. Cross-sectional studies (n = 6) provided limited evidence about a relation between positive emotions and functioning in daily life. However, longitudinal studies (n = 4) provide significant evidence for an interaction between the two factors, suggesting that time influences this interaction.Conclusion: The variety on the design and samples of the studies included in this review does not allow a cohesive conclusion of the results. Nevertheless, limited evidence suggests that higher frequency in the experience of positive emotions might be associated with lower functional limitations. The issue of causality in emotions-functioning remains unclear from the review. Further observational studies are highly recommended, supported by innovative technologies.

Co-creation of an ICT-supported cancer rehabilitation application for resected lung cancer survivors: design and evaluation.

BackgroundLung cancer (LC) patients experience high symptom burden and significant decline of physical fitness and quality of life following lung resection. Good quality of survivorship care post-surgery is essential to optimize recovery and prevent unscheduled healthcare use. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve post-surgery care, as it enables frequent monitoring of health status in daily life, provides timely and personalized feedback to patients and professionals, and improves accessibility to rehabilitation programs. Despite its promises, implementation of telehealthcare applications is challenging, often hampered by non-acceptance of the developed service by its end-users. A promising approach is to involve the end-users early and continuously during the developmental process through a so-called user-centred design approach. The aim of this article is to report on this process of co-creation and evaluation of a multimodal ICT-supported cancer rehabilitation program with and for lung cancer patients treated with lung resection and their healthcare professionals (HCPs).MethodsA user-centered design approach was used. Through semi-structured interviews (n = 10 LC patients and 6 HCPs), focus groups (n = 5 HCPs), and scenarios (n = 5 HCPs), user needs and requirements were elicited. Semi-structured interviews and the System Usability Scale (SUS) were used to evaluate usability of the telehealthcare application with 7 LC patients and 10 HCPs.ResultsThe developed application consists of: 1) self-monitoring of symptoms and physical activity using on-body sensors and a smartphone, and 2) a web based physical exercise program. 71 % of LC patients and 78 % of HCPs were willing to use the application as part of lung cancer treatment. Accessibility of data via electronic patient records was essential for HCPs. LC patients regarded a positive attitude of the HCP towards the application essential. Overall, the usability (SUS median score = 70, range 35–95) was rated acceptable.ConclusionsA telehealthcare application that facilitates symptom monitoring and physical fitness training is considered a useful tool to further improve recovery following surgery of resected lung cancer (LC) patients. Involvement of end users in the design process appears to be necessary to optimize chances of adoption, compliance and implementation of telemedicine.

1710 Co-creation of an ICT-supported cancer rehabilitation program for lung cancer survivors

Background: Lung cancer (LC) patients experience high symptom burden and significant decline of physical fitness and Quality of Life following lung resection. Good quality of survivorship care post-surgery is essential to optimize recovery and prevent unscheduled healthcare use. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve post-surgery care, as it enables frequent monitoring of health status in daily life, provides timely and personalized feedback to patients and professionals, and improves accessibility to rehabilitation programs. Despite its promises, implementation of ICT applications is challenging, often hampered by non-acceptance of the developed service by its end-users. A promising approach is to involve the end-users early and continuously during the developmental process through a so-called user-centred design approach. The aim of this abstract is to report on this process of co-creation of an ICT-supported cancer rehabilitation program with and for lung cancer patients and their healthcare professionals (HCP’s). Material and Methods: Requirements were established during semi-structured interviews and focus groups with LC patients (n=10) and HCP’s (n=11) and validated by means of written scenarios describing the integration of the future program in existing healthcare processes. Requirement specification was succeeded by the development of a first prototype. Usability of the prototype was then evaluated with healthy subjects (n=13), LC patients (n=7) and HCP’s (n=9) by means of semi-structured interviews and the System Usability Scale (SUS). Results: The developed rehabilitation program contains the following modules: 1) symptom self-monitoring of pain, dyspnoea, fatigue, and physical condition using on-body sensors (HR, O2 saturation, and accelerometer) in combination with a smartphone, and 2) an online physical exercise program. The results of the symptom monitoring module are visualised on a web portal integrating monitoring data with electronic patient records. Usability of the program was scored acceptable by 84% of the users (SUS median score=78). Overall, LC patients and HCP’s found the system simple and effective for daily symptom monitoring and improvement of physical fitness with a home-based exercise program, and 73% would be willing to use the system when offered to them as part of lung cancer treatment. Conclusion: With a user-centred design approach we were able to assess and evaluate the requirements of LC patients and HCP’s for the ICT-supported rehabilitation program repeatedly during the entire developmental process, resulting in a final version of the program that matches the end users’ requirements. The next step is to evaluate feasibility and clinical effect of the program as part of regular care following lung cancer surgery.

The Quality of Life in Patients with Pathologic Myopia

Purpose: To evaluate the functional status in daily life and the quality of life (QOL) of pathologic myopia patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data of consecutive pathologic myopia patients (n = 200) and control subjects (n = 144). The influence of the disease on the daily life and the QOL of patients were evaluated using a self-rated questionnaire. The questionnaire covered the full range of daily life activity, including daily tasks depending on visual acuity, social and emotional handicaps, and cognition of disease, and the QOL of pathologic myopia patients. Results: The functional status in daily life and the QOL of patients were reduced compared with control subjects. The influence of pathologic myopia on a patient's daily life was primarily the result of three major factors, handicap, disability, and support. All three factors correlated with the QOL, the degree of handicap having the strongest correlation. Conclusion: The functional status in daily life and the QOL of pathologic myopia patients were reduced; this decline in QOL was attributed to handicap and disability caused by the ocular disease.