Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly
Abstract Background Combining smartphone-assisted group activities in the neighbourhood and training in physical and cognitive skills may offer the potential to promote social participation and connectedness of older adults. This non-controlled proof-of-concept, retrospectively registered study aime...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03303-0 |
| _version_ | 1818162683393867776 |
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| author | Christian Thiel Liane Günther Anke Osterhoff Sascha Sommer Christian Grüneberg |
| author_facet | Christian Thiel Liane Günther Anke Osterhoff Sascha Sommer Christian Grüneberg |
| author_sort | Christian Thiel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Combining smartphone-assisted group activities in the neighbourhood and training in physical and cognitive skills may offer the potential to promote social participation and connectedness of older adults. This non-controlled proof-of-concept, retrospectively registered study aimed to determine the feasibility of such an intervention approach, including its evaluation. Methods In two consecutive six-month intervention cycles, 39 community-dwelling adults were provided with weekly smartphone, physical and cognitive training by two tutors. Using a specifically designed app, the participants were also encouraged to join and later self-organise physically and cognitively stimulating activities related to hot spots in their Bochum neighbourhood. Indicators of feasibility were documented. Results The recruitment and assessments took 3 hours per participant. Excluding smartphone support, the preparation and the implementation of the intervention amounted to nine person-hours per week. Six participants dropped out, and 13 did not complete one or more assessments. The participants attended 76 ± 15% of the weekly training sessions. The instructors deemed the programme feasible, but familiarisation with the smartphone and the app was very time-consuming. Twenty-seven of 29 participants reported high overall satisfaction, and 22 agreed that the programme helped them to establish social contacts. The smartphones attracted substantial interest and were used frequently, despite mixed satisfaction with the project-specific app. From baseline to follow-up, the six-minute walking distance, lower extremity strength and moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as quality of life, were preserved at a high level, while balance performance was significantly improved. Of the 11 tests related to cognitive functioning, 4 tests (a memory test, the Stroop test and 2 tests of verbal fluency) indicated significant improvement. No moderate or serious adverse events occurred in relation to the assessments or the intervention. Conclusions The multimodal approach seems safe and feasible and offers the potential to promote social connectedness, bonds in the residential neighbourhood and smartphone competency, as well as to preserve or improve physical and cognitive functions. Adaptations of the intervention and of the outcome assessments may contribute to better assessment and exploitation of the potential of this approach in a future study involving socially, physically and cognitively less active elderly persons. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T16:37:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1462bf22377b4c908740e0b04ba89e0e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T16:37:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-1462bf22377b4c908740e0b04ba89e0e2022-12-22T00:58:24ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182022-07-0122111910.1186/s12877-022-03303-0Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderlyChristian Thiel0Liane Günther1Anke Osterhoff2Sascha Sommer3Christian Grüneberg4Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of PhysiotherapyInstitute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University of DüsseldorfHochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Department of Applied Health Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy ProgramHochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Department of Applied Health Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy ProgramHochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of PhysiotherapyAbstract Background Combining smartphone-assisted group activities in the neighbourhood and training in physical and cognitive skills may offer the potential to promote social participation and connectedness of older adults. This non-controlled proof-of-concept, retrospectively registered study aimed to determine the feasibility of such an intervention approach, including its evaluation. Methods In two consecutive six-month intervention cycles, 39 community-dwelling adults were provided with weekly smartphone, physical and cognitive training by two tutors. Using a specifically designed app, the participants were also encouraged to join and later self-organise physically and cognitively stimulating activities related to hot spots in their Bochum neighbourhood. Indicators of feasibility were documented. Results The recruitment and assessments took 3 hours per participant. Excluding smartphone support, the preparation and the implementation of the intervention amounted to nine person-hours per week. Six participants dropped out, and 13 did not complete one or more assessments. The participants attended 76 ± 15% of the weekly training sessions. The instructors deemed the programme feasible, but familiarisation with the smartphone and the app was very time-consuming. Twenty-seven of 29 participants reported high overall satisfaction, and 22 agreed that the programme helped them to establish social contacts. The smartphones attracted substantial interest and were used frequently, despite mixed satisfaction with the project-specific app. From baseline to follow-up, the six-minute walking distance, lower extremity strength and moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as quality of life, were preserved at a high level, while balance performance was significantly improved. Of the 11 tests related to cognitive functioning, 4 tests (a memory test, the Stroop test and 2 tests of verbal fluency) indicated significant improvement. No moderate or serious adverse events occurred in relation to the assessments or the intervention. Conclusions The multimodal approach seems safe and feasible and offers the potential to promote social connectedness, bonds in the residential neighbourhood and smartphone competency, as well as to preserve or improve physical and cognitive functions. Adaptations of the intervention and of the outcome assessments may contribute to better assessment and exploitation of the potential of this approach in a future study involving socially, physically and cognitively less active elderly persons.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03303-0Combined cognitive and physical activitySmartphone supportNeighbourhoodSocial participationCommunity-dwelling adults |
| spellingShingle | Christian Thiel Liane Günther Anke Osterhoff Sascha Sommer Christian Grüneberg Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly BMC Geriatrics Combined cognitive and physical activity Smartphone support Neighbourhood Social participation Community-dwelling adults |
| title | Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly |
| title_full | Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly |
| title_short | Feasibility of smartphone-supported, combined physical and cognitive activities in the Neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly |
| title_sort | feasibility of smartphone supported combined physical and cognitive activities in the neighbourhood for stimulating social participation of the elderly |
| topic | Combined cognitive and physical activity Smartphone support Neighbourhood Social participation Community-dwelling adults |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03303-0 |
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