Requirements for the use of modular measuring systems with cognitive and functional impairments of dementia and rheumatic patients – a pilot study

In der vorliegenden Pilotstudie wird untersucht, inwieweit ein technisches Assistenzsystem Personen mit Beeinträchtigung der kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit (Demenzpatienten) sowie Personen mit funktionellen Einschränkungen (Rheumapatienten) unterstützen kann, länger eine selbständige und selbstbestimmte Lebensführung in der häuslichen Umgebung zu erhalten.The present pilot study examines the extent to which a technical assistance system can support people with impaired cognitive performance (dementia patients) and people with functional impairments (rheumatism patients) to maintain an independent and self-determined lifestyle in the home environment. The study was carried out in the form of an anonymous cross-sectional observation with a mixed methods design, including the groups of people involved in the use of a support system for the patients. These are relatives and doctors as well as the areas of care, hardware development, software development, health insurance and research. As part of the study, more than 13,000 people were contacted over a period of 17 months, 475 people across all groups took part in the survey, including 86 people with dementia and 81 rheumatic patients without dementia. The classification of assistance systems for the support of people with dementia, which is often positive in the evaluated literature, with the technical feasibility and function of the systems in the foreground, could not be generally confirmed on the basis of the results of the present investigation. Dementia patients assessed only a few device types and functions of a possible support system predominantly with approval. This includes the use of a smartphone and the support of device functions such as memory and recall as well as information about possible dangers from risks of falling, the reporting of critical events to a caregiver, the measurement of pulse and blood pressure, fluid intake and a speaking system. Other system forms such as a smart watch or functions for recording skin moisture or stress were rather opposed to dementia patients. Rheumatism patients as well as the other groups surveyed are much more open to many devices and functions, whereby a differentiated picture emerged here as well. There are significant age differences between the patient groups and the other user groups surveyed. Correlations with age and educational background were found for many questions, which makes it necessary to further differentiate the results. Both patient groups have high expectations of information, consent and data protection when using an electronic support system. This is an important prerequisite for the acceptance of a system by the patient. Possible differences in response behavior could be due to the familiarity of the respective participant groups with the functions and systems. Use of the diverse functions of a support device of patients affected today could be increased by providing comprehensive instruction in a device and making them familiar with how to use it at an early stage