Pervasive health technologies can increase the effectiveness of personal health monitoring and training, but more user studies are necessary to understand the interest for these technologies, and how they should be designed and implemented. In the present study, we evaluated eWALL, a user-centered pervasive health technology consisting of a platform that monitors users' physical and cognitive behavior, providing feedback and motivation via an easy-to-use, touch-based user interface. The eWALL was placed for one month in the home of 48 subjects with a chronic condition (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD or mild cognitive impairment-MCI) or with an age-related impairment. User acceptance, platform use, and potential clinical effects were evaluated using surveys, data logs, and clinical scales. Although some features of the platform need to be improved before reaching technical maturity and making a difference in patients' lives, the real-life evaluation of eWALL has shown how some features may influence patients' intention to use this promising technology. Furthermore, this study made it clear how the free use of different health apps is modulated by the real needs of the patient and by their usefulness in the context of the patient's clinical status.

Acceptance and Potential Impact of the eWALL Platform for Health Monitoring and Promotion in Persons with a Chronic Disease or Age-Related Impairment

Bonassi, Stefano;
2020-01-01

Abstract

Pervasive health technologies can increase the effectiveness of personal health monitoring and training, but more user studies are necessary to understand the interest for these technologies, and how they should be designed and implemented. In the present study, we evaluated eWALL, a user-centered pervasive health technology consisting of a platform that monitors users' physical and cognitive behavior, providing feedback and motivation via an easy-to-use, touch-based user interface. The eWALL was placed for one month in the home of 48 subjects with a chronic condition (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD or mild cognitive impairment-MCI) or with an age-related impairment. User acceptance, platform use, and potential clinical effects were evaluated using surveys, data logs, and clinical scales. Although some features of the platform need to be improved before reaching technical maturity and making a difference in patients' lives, the real-life evaluation of eWALL has shown how some features may influence patients' intention to use this promising technology. Furthermore, this study made it clear how the free use of different health apps is modulated by the real needs of the patient and by their usefulness in the context of the patient's clinical status.
2020
COPD
ICT platform
MCI
acceptance of technology
chronicity
eHealth
frailty
health apps
patient empowerment
pervasive healthcare
telemonitoring
telerehabilitation
user experience
Aged
Aging
Chronic Disease
Female
Health Promotion
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Surveys and Questionnaires
User-Computer Interface
Biomedical Technology
Cognitive Dysfunction
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12078/7609
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