Term Health Conditions Research Articles

P060 Pilot study showing the efficacy and acceptability of an acceptance and commitment therapy based brief psychological intervention on mood and disability in patients with early inflammatory arthritis

Abstract Background/Aims Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients living with rheumatological conditions and are associated with poorer health outcomes and treatment response. The evidence base for psychological intervention is scarce and of poor quality. One trial has found CBT intervention early post-diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis has small to medium effect sizes for depression and anxiety and no effect on disability. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological therapy with a good evidence base for a number of long term health conditions. The target process in ACT is psychological flexibility, which relates closely to a number of positive life outcomes including adaptive response to illness and trauma. Psychological inflexibility has been shown to be associated with poorer function and psychological wellbeing in chronic pain populations and more recently juvenile idiopathic arthritis specifically. We aimed to evaluate outcomes for a sample (n = 12) of newly diagnosed (within 3 years of diagnosis) patients with inflammatory arthritis who underwent an individualised ACT intervention using patient satisfaction data, qualitative feedback and measures of mood, quality of life and psychological flexibility. Methods Patients received up to 7 sessions of one to one therapy. Outcome measures included PHQ-9, GAD-7, compACT, and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and a satisfaction questionnaire with open questions inviting qualitative responses. Paired t-tests were conducted, and the Jacobson and Truax method used to calculate Reliable Change Index and Clinically Significant Change criteria. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohens’ d. Correlation analysis was conducted using Pearsons correlation coefficients. Results Patients who took part in the brief intervention showed significant improvement in depression, anxiety, quality of life and psychological flexibility. Effect sizes were large. Correlation analysis showed strong correlations between PF and both depression and quality of life. Changes in PF from baseline to end of therapy strongly correlated with changes in depression and disability, and moderately correlated with anxiety. Subanalyses will be presented to understand which particular components of PF most closely relate to improvements in outcomes on disability and mood. Conclusion A brief one to one ACT-based psychological intervention conferred good benefit for a rheumatology population. Results suggest PF is a key therapeutic target in psychological interventions for people with arthritis and that ACT is a viable, highly acceptable and promising alternative to CBT in this population. More studies are needed to understand whether this effect is generalisable and longer-term outcomes. Disclosure L. Maher-Edwards: None. N. Ng: None. D. Gillanders: None.

Health professionals’ inclusion of green space in the management of long term conditions: a scoping review

Background Green space intervention, enabling participation in activities of importance, as a component of a supported self-management could reduce the burden on individuals with long term health conditions (LTC) and the health-care system. Objectives The primary aim of this scoping review was to explore evidence of health professionals’ (HPs) use of green space within supported self-management or active intervention for people with LTC. Methods Major electronic databases were searched since inception until February 2020. Studies including HP prescription of green-space as part of supported self-management were included. Results The initial search found 3 eligible studies, however to widen the scope of research we removed an exclusion criteria which resulted in an additional 5 studies. Interventions using parks, gardens, forest/woodlands and wetlands resulted in improved psychological, physical and social wellbeing for people with LTC. There was limited, low levels of evidence for HP prescription of green space for supported self-management of people living with LTC. Conclusions Studies demonstrated improvements in wellbeing across multiple constructs (physical, psychological and social) in people with LTC, thus green space may be an important person-centered inclusion of supported self-management. Further evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of green space for supported self-management is required alongside research exploring the risks associated with green space prescriptions for people with LTC.

A qualitative investigation of lived experiences of long-term health condition management with people who are food insecure

BackgroundAs more people are living with one or more chronic health conditions, supporting patients to become activated, self-managers of their conditions has become a key health policy focus both in the UK and internationally. There is also growing evidence in the UK that those with long term health conditions have an increased risk of being food insecure. While international evidence indicates that food insecurity adversely affects individual’s health condition management capability, little is known about how those so affected manage their condition(s) in this context. An investigation of lived experience of health condition management was undertaken with food insecure people living in north east Scotland. The study aimed to explore the challenges facing food insecure people in terms of, i. their self-care condition management practices, and ii. disclosing and discussing the experience of managing their condition with a health care professional, and iii. Notions of the support they might wish to receive from them.MethodsTwenty in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals attending a food bank and food pantry in north east Scotland. Interview audio recordings were fully transcribed and thematically analysed.ResultsIndividuals reporting multiple physical and mental health conditions, took part in the study. Four main themes were identified i.e.: 1. food practices, trade-offs and compromises, that relate to economic constraints and lack of choice; 2. illness experiences and food as they relate to physical and mental ill-health; 3. (in) visibility of participants’ economic vulnerability within health care consultations; and 4. perceptions and expectations of the health care system.ConclusionsThis study, the first of its kind in the UK, indicated that participants’ health condition management aspirations were undermined by the experience of food insecurity, and that their health care consultations in were, on the whole, devoid of discussions of those challenges. As such, the study indicated practical and ethical implications for health care policy, practice and research associated with the risk of intervention-generated health inequalities that were suggested by this study. Better understanding is needed about the impact of household food insecurity on existing ill health, wellbeing and health care use across the UK.

A longitudinal exploration of the relationship between obesity, and long term health condition with presenteeism in Australian workplaces, 2006-2018.

BackgroundObesity and long term health condition (LTHC) are major public health concerns that have an impact on productivity losses at work. Little is known about the longitudinal association between obesity and LTHC with impaired productivity.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the longitudinal association between obesity and LTHC with presenteeism or working while sick.DesignLongitudinal research designSettingAustralian workplacesMethodsThis study pooled individual-level data of 111,086 employees collected in wave 6 through wave 18 from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. The study used a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model with logistic link function to estimate the association.ResultsThe findings suggest that overweight (Odds Ratios [OR]: 1.09, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.05–1.14), obesity (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.31–1.45), and LTHC (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.90–3.16) are significantly positively associated with presenteeism.ConclusionsThe longitudinal association between obesity and LTHC with presenteeism among Australian employees implies that interventions to improve workers' health and well-being will reduce the risk of presenteeism at work.

Multiomics Evaluation of Gastrointestinal and Other Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19

Since December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has produced a worldwide panic. Beyond the principal human-to-human transmission method by droplet and contact, there is still limited knowledge about possible alternate transmission methods to guide clinical care. Recent clinical studies have observed digestive symptoms in patients with COVID-19,1 possibly because of the enrichment and infection of SARS-CoV-2 in the gastrointestinal tract, mediated by virus receptor of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2),2 which suggests the potential for a fecal-oral route of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.3,4 However, there is still a large gap in the biological knowledge of COVID-19. In this study, via a bulk-to-cell strategy focusing on ACE2, we performed an integrated omics analysis at the genome, transcriptome, and proteome levels in bulk tissues and single cells across species to decipher the potential routes for SARS-CoV-2 infection in depth.

Recruitment settings, delivery contexts, intervention techniques and outcomes of health promotion programmes for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A systematic review

BackgroundPeople with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at risk of developing long term health conditions, and a preventative health agenda research is emerging. However, little is known about the recruitment settings, delivery contexts, intervention techniques and outcomes of health promotion programmes for this population. Therefore, the aim of this review was to synthesize and evaluate these characteristics. MethodA systematic review of studies identified from multiple databases on healthy lifestyle interventions for adolescents and young people with IDD was conducted. Data were synthesized and evaluated using a logic model. Quality of rigour was also assessed. ResultsSixteen geographically diverse studies were selected and evaluated. Participants were most commonly recruited from schools, with interventions typically taking place in a gym setting and involving physical activity training. ConclusionsThis review indicates that physical activity and dietary interventions in people with IDD may lead to lifestyle changes, however more robust evidence is required. Educational settings are conducive, with settings beyond schools requiring further consideration.

Factors Predicting Voluntary and Involuntary Workforce Transitions at Mature Ages: Evidence from HILDA in Australia

The fast population ageing has generated and will continue to generate large social, economic and health challenges in the 21th century in Australia, and many other developed and developing countries. Population ageing is projected to lead to workforce shortages, welfare dependency, fiscal unsustainability, and a higher burden of chronic diseases on health care system. Promoting health and sustainable work capacity among mature age and older workers hence becomes the most important and critical way to address all these challenges. This paper used the pooled data from the longitudinal Household, Incomes and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey 2002–2011 data to investigate common and different factors predicting voluntary or involuntary workforce transitions among workers aged 45 to 64. Long term health conditions and preference to work less hours increased while having a working partner and proportion of paid years decreased both voluntary and involuntary work force transitions. Besides these four common factors, the voluntary and involuntary workforce transitions had very different underlying mechanisms. Our findings suggest that government policies aimed at promoting workforce participation at later life should be directed specifically to life-long health promotion and continuous employment as well as different factors driving voluntary and involuntary workforce transitions, such as life-long training, healthy lifestyles, work flexibility, ageing friendly workplace, and job security.

How to measure the need for transition to adult services among young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a comparison of surveillance versus case note review methods

BackgroundHealth services have not provided adequate support for young people with long term health conditions to transfer from child to adult services. National Institute of Health and Care (NICE) guidance on transition has been issued to address these gaps. However, data are often sparse about the number of young adults who might need to transition. Using Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an exemplar, this study used an existing surveillance system and a case note review to capture the incidence of the transition process, and compared and contrasted the findings.MethodsThe Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System (CAPSS) was used to estimate the incident transition of young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from child to adult services. This involves consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists from the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI) reporting relevant young people as they are seen in clinics. In parallel, a case note review was conducted using the Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Clinical Records Interactive Search (CRIS). The study period ran for twelve months with a nine month follow up to see how the transition proceeded.ResultsCRIS identified 76 cases in the study period, compared to 18 identified using surveillance via CAPSS. Methodological issues were experienced using both methods. Surveillance issues; eligibility criteria confusion, reporting errors, incomplete questionnaires, difficulties contacting clinicians, and surveillance systems do not cover non-doctors and psychiatrists who are not consultants. Case note review issues using CRIS included the need for researchers to interpret clinical notes, the availability and completeness of data in the notes, and data limited to the catchment of one particular mental health trust.ConclusionsBoth methods demonstrate strengths and weaknesses; the combination of both methods in the absence of strong routinely collected data, allowed a more robust estimate of the level of need for service planning and commissioning.

The effects of a self-management programme(Stanford model) on adults in County Donegal with long term health conditions

The International Journal of Integrated Care (IJIC) is an online, open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original articles in the field of integrated care on a continuous basis.IJIC has an Impact Factor of 5.120 (2020 JCR, received in June 2021)

Can goal-setting for patients with multimorbidity improve outcomes in primary care? Cluster randomised feasibility trial

IntroductionGoal-setting is recommended for patients with multimorbidity, but there is little evidence to support its use in general practice.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of goal-setting for patients with multimorbidity, before undertaking...

Application of ICF conceptual framework in Osteoporosis

ABSTRACT Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease defined by low bone strength and deterioration of bone tissue, which has wide clinical presentations. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) provides a common language, classification system, and conceptual framework to describe the consequences of health conditions in terms of body function and structure, activities and participation, environmental and personal factors. Objectives: The ICF conceptual framework was used, in this paper, to integrate OP research-based knowledge into clinical application using clinical vignettes. Results: Body functions and structures, activities and participation, environmental factors and personal factors are described, and the inter-connection among these factors is explored. The vignettes highlight the importance of different components of the ICF framework and to demonstrate how the ICF framework can capture individual differences in how disability can be experienced in OP. Conclusion: The ICF conceptual framework provides a holistic representation of disability by facilitating a critical appraisal of the health status of people with OP. The framework creates an awareness of the broad and multidimensional nature of OP on the health of individual patients, integrates dimensions of functioning, and highlights the complexity of the evaluation and management of OP.

The complexity of food for people with long term health conditions

The complexity of food for people with long term health conditions

The economic burden of chronic diseases: Estimates and projections for China, Japan, and South Korea

We propose a novel framework to analyse the macroeconomic impact of noncommunicable diseases. We incorporate measures of disease prevalence into a human capital augmented production function, which enables us to determine the economic costs of chronic health conditions in terms of foregone gross domestic product (GDP). Unlike previously adopted frameworks, this approach allows us to account for i) variations in human capital for workers in different age groups, ii) mortality and morbidity effects of non-communicable diseases, and iii) the treatment costs of diseases. We apply our methodology to China, Japan, and South Korea, and estimate the economic burden of chronic conditions in five domains (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and mental health conditions). Overall, total losses associated with these non-communicable diseases over the period 2010-2030 are $16 trillion for China (measured in real USD with the base year 2010), $5.7 trillion for Japan, and $1.5 trillion for South Korea. Our results also highlight the limits of cost-effectiveness analysis by identifying some intervention strategies to reduce disease prevalence in China that are cost beneficial and therefore a rational use of resources, though they are not cost-effective as judged by conventional thresholds.

Public Preferences regarding Data Linkage for Health Research: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

The potential for data collected in the public and private sector to be linked and used in research has led to increasing interest in public acceptability of data sharing and data linkage. The literature has identified a range of factors that are important for shaping public responses and in particular has noted that public support for research conducted through data linkage or data sharing is contingent on a number of conditions being met. In order to examine the relative importance of these conditions a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was conducted via an online questionnaire among members of Ipsos MORI’s online panel in Scotland. The survey was completed by 1,004 respondents. Overall the two most influential factors shaping respondents’ preferences are: the type of data being linked; and, how profits are managed and shared. The type of data being linked is roughly twice as important as who the researchers are. There were slight differences across age groups and between genders and slight differences when comparing respondents with and without long term health conditions. The most notable differences between respondents were found when comparing respondents according to employment and working sector. This study provides much needed evidence regarding the relative importance of various conditions which may be essential for securing and sustaining public support for data-linkage in health research. This may be useful for indicating which factors to focus on in future public engagement and has important implications for the design and delivery of research and public engagement activities. The continuously evolving nature of the field means it will be necessary to revisit the key conditions for public support on an ongoing basis and to examine the contexts and circumstances in which these might change.

Free text adversity statements as part of a contextualised admissions process: a qualitative analysis

BackgroundMedical schools globally are encouraged to widen access and participation for students from less privileged backgrounds. Many strategies have been implemented to address this inequality, but much still needs to be done to ensure fair access for all. In the literature, adverse circumstances include financial issues, poor educational experience and lack of professional-status parents. In order to take account of adverse circumstances faced by applicants, The University of Dundee School of Medicine offers applicants the opportunity to report circumstances which may have resulted in disadvantage. Applicants do this by completing a free text statement, known as an ‘adversity statement’, in addition to the other application information. This study analysed adversity statements submitted by applicants during two admissions cycles. Analysis of content and theme was done to identify the information applicants wished to be taken into consideration, and what range of adverse circumstances individuals reported.MethodsThis study used a qualitative approach with thematic analysis to categorise the adversity statements. The data was initially analysed to create a coding framework which was then applied to the whole data set. Each coded segment was then analysed for heterogeneity and homogeneity, segments merged into generated themes, or to create sub-themes.ResultsThe data set comprised a total of 384 adversity statements. These showed a wide range of detail involving family, personal health, education and living circumstances. Some circumstances, such as geographical location, have been identified and explored in previous research, while others, such as long term health conditions, have had less attention in the literature. The degree of impact, the length of statement and degree of detail, demonstrated wide variation between submissions.ConclusionsThis study adds to the debate on best practice in contextual admissions and raises awareness of the range of circumstances and impact applicants wish to be considered. The themes which emerged from the data included family, school, personal health, and geographical location issues. Descriptions of the degree of impact that an adverse circumstance had on educational or other attainment was found to vary substantially from statements indicating minor, impact through to circumstances stated as causing major impact.

The future of pharmacy practice research - Perspectives of academics and practitioners from Australia, NZ, United Kingdom, Canada and USA.

Healthcare is under significant pressure with the explosion of long term conditions, shift in worldwide demographics and is evolving through advances in technology. Aligned with this is the changing role of pharmacy from the traditional dispenser of medicines to having (in addition) a more advanced clinical role. This study aimed to understand what the pharmacy practice research agenda might look like from the viewpoint of pharmacy academics and practitioners across five high-income countries. Qualitative methods were used, and thirty one-hour interviews were undertaken with practitioners and academics from five economically advanced countries. These nations have comparable socio-economic status but differing health systems and include; Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America. Six key informants were chosen from each country, three academics and three community pharmacists. A general inductive analysis was undertaken to analyse the most common and recurring themes. These themes of research were based around current community pharmacy practice issues and the enablers to changing the profession. Specific areas pharmacy practice could be more involved with included long term health conditions. Some community pharmacists also believed that research into the impact of professional standards and policy change would be beneficial. The findings of this research suggest that current pharmacy practice research methods are sufficient, but need to be used more effectively. Participants identified a wide range of issues within community pharmacy practice. Academics largely focused on how research can be utilised in the community and how to implement findings to ensure sustainability of pharmacy practice research. Issues that community pharmacists would like to research are related to the current practice model, such as allocating time to provide patient-focused services in addition to managing a business.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Trigger Non-Canonical Receptor Endocytosis to Inhibit Wnt Signaling.

Biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) have been implied in various biological and biomedical applications. However, the effects of nanoscale materials on long term health and disease conditions remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that two types of titanium dioxide NPs (TiO₂NPs), with primary sizes of 10 nm and 50 nm, inhibit Wnt signaling under in vitro and in vivo contexts. At concentrations without causing cytotoxicity, TiO₂NPs diminish Wnt-stimulated cancer cell metastasis, weaken the anti-adipogenic effect of Wnt during adipocyte differentiation, and impair Wnt-promoted tail elongation during the development of Zebrafish. Significantly, we find that TiO₂NPs induce non-canonical endocytic trafficking of the Wnt receptor Lrp6. The reduction in the amount of active Lrp6 for signal transduction prevents the nuclear entry of β-catenin, a key transcription activator in the Wnt signaling axis, and interferes with the outputs of Wnt signaling. Our study discloses both potential risks and possible benefits for applications of TiO₂NPs, provides a molecular basis for the interaction between TiO₂NPs and cellular signaling, and suggests close connections between natural biological molecules and synthetic NPs.

My Plan – a new meso to micro level building block to promote person-centred care planning

Introduction: The Lifetime Care and Support Authority of NSW (LTC) funds the treatment, rehabilitation and care for people severely injured in motor vehicle crashes in New South Wales, Australia. Aligned to best practice and international standards for person-centred integrated care, LTC undertook a major change to the policy, planning and practice approach with those injured (participants in the scheme).Short description of practice change implemented: The revised approach - My Plan, was the major building block to promote person-centred planning and integrated care (1). My Plan enables the funder to ‘hear’ the participant/family’s voice and preferences through self-assessment, participant directed goal setting and prioritisation, monitoring, care plans and service selection. My Plan was developed after extensive research, co-design and piloting. The toolkit includes a suite of modules to support the planning facilitator (case manager) to plan with, and adjust for participant needs at any stage of their lifelong journey. Implementation resources were developed to train and support stakeholders to adopt the change and included internal/external champions, participant/provider on-line resources, eLearning modules, social media community of practice, face to face training, newsletters and meetings. Monitoring and evaluation continues using mixed methods.Aim and theory of change: The aim was to better engage and empower people in the co-creation, integration and management of their cross-sector care, formal and informal supports, thereby enhancing their community participation and wellbeing. We derived seven key principles from broad theoretical concepts, which guided the development and design of My Plan. The concepts were person-centeredness, human rights, social inclusion, health and disability frameworks, integrated care, whole of life approaches, personal and social determinants, strength based approaches for recovery, self-management, supported decision making and evidence based practice.Target population and stakeholders: The initial target population were over 1,000 LTC adult/child participants (and their families) with a complex health condition of: traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputations, severe burns or blindness.Critical stakeholders were 300 approved planning facilitators (care/case managers), all LTC staff (particularly staff making funding decisions), treatment providers.Timeline: Development and pilot 2013-2015Implementation 2015-2016Monitoring and evaluation 2015 and continuingHighlights: (innovation, impact and outcomes) The monitoring and evaluation data suggests there is a major positive change to perceptions and understanding of participants, and to ways of working by case managers and LTC employees. Importantly participants and families have responded positively to the change with opportunities to co-create, plan, integrate and manage their care.Comments on Sustainability: There has been no significant impact on scheme costs as a result of the changes to planning. The approach and associated toolkit readily lends itself to digital record creation, archiving; individual and population monitoring; is easily shared and can be digitally modified to meet specific needs.Comments on transferability: LTC amalgamated with other groups delivering care to injured people in September 2015 and became icare (Insurance & Care NSW). At meso level My Plan was embedded in the organisation’s policy and systems, with continuing development work with internal staff and external (provider) at micro level practice. The approach has been extended to other parts of the organisation and people with other health conditions (work related injuries, dust diseases). Whilst issues arose with system and legislation differences, My Plan approach appears transferable to other jurisdictions. Anecdotally some case managers from other organisations are using the My Plan toolkit with people who have long term health conditions for care and service planning funded through other public or private sectors.

Protocol for Co-Design, Development, and Open Trial of a Prototype Game-Based eHealth Intervention to Treat Anxiety in Young People With Long-Term Physical Conditions.

BackgroundApproximately 10% to 12% of New Zealand young people (and 21% of Maori young people) have long-term physical conditions and are more likely to develop psychological problems, particularly anxiety and depression. Delayed treatment leads to worse management of physical conditions, school absence, and poorer long-term outcomes. Recently, electronic health (eHealth) interventions have been shown to be as good as face-to-face therapy and biofeedback techniques have been shown to enhance relaxation during the treatment of anxiety. In addition, young people with long-term physical conditions have expressed a preference for more technologically based support, including game-based interventions, to deal with psychological issues, particularly anxiety.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to develop a prototype game-based eHealth intervention to address anxiety in young people with long-term physical conditions. The game will be based on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and will integrate a module of biofeedback-based relaxation.MethodsDuring the first phase of the study, up to 48 young people with long-term physical conditions aged 13 to 18 years, attending a tertiary pediatric hospital will be invited to participate in a 3-stage series of co-design workshops. Following the design, development, and refinement of a working prototype, during the second phase of the study, a further 20 young people with long-term physical conditions and anxiety will be recruited from the same location to participate in an open pilot trial to evaluate its acceptability, usability, and preliminary efficacy.ResultsChanges in anxiety will be measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Spence Child Anxiety Scales (SCAS) at the end of every module (recommended to be completed weekly), post intervention, and 3 months later. Usability of the intervention will be measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and by measuring frequency and quantity of use of the intervention. Acceptability of the intervention will be assessed using brief, open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, the data from which will be analyzed using a general inductive approach. Recruitment to the study commenced in January 2017 and data collection will be completed by the end of December 2017.ConclusionsIf acceptable and useful, this game-based eHealth intervention may offer a cost-effective and clinically useful intervention for addressing the psychological needs of over 16,000 young people with long term health conditions in New Zealand.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616001253493p; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371443 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6sYB716lf)

Deployment of Assisted Living Technology Solution Platform using Smart Body Sensors for Elderly People Health Monitoring

Many of the Ambient Assisted Living Technologies (AALT) available in the market to the end-users with long term health condition have no common inter-operational protocol. Each product has its own communication protocols, different interfaces and interoperation which limits their solution reliability, flexibility and efficiency. This paper presents assisted living platform solution for elderly people with long term health condition based on wireless sensors networking technology. The system includes multi feedback sensor arrangements for monitoring, such as: blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. Each sensor has been integrated with the necessary near real time embedded and wireless protocols that allow data collection, transfer and interoperate in ad-hoc bases. The data will be communicated wirelessly to central data base system and shared though cloud network. The collected data will be processed and relevant intelligent algorithms will be deployed to ensure certain actions taken place when health condition warnings arise. These warnings to be communicated to relevant carer, General Practitioner (GP) and health authority to take the necessary action and steps to handle such end user health condition warnings. The proposed solution system will provide the flexibility to analyse most of the health conditions based on near real time monitoring technology. It will enable the population of elderly with long term health condition to manage their daily life activities within multiple environments i.e. from their comfort home, care centres and hospitals. The data and information will be treated with high confidentiality to ensure end-users integrity and dignity have been maintained.