Proof-of-concept trial results of the HeartMan mobile personal health system for self-management in congestive heart failure.

This study tested the effectiveness of HeartMan-a mobile personal health system offering decisional support for management of congestive heart failure (CHF)-on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), self-management, exercise capacity, illness perception, mental and sexual health. A randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial (1:2 ratio of control:intervention) was set up with ambulatory CHF patients in stable condition in Belgium and Italy. Data were collected by means of a 6-min walking test and a number of standardized questionnaire instruments.

A Personal Health System for Self-Management of Congestive Heart Failure (HeartMan): Development, Technical Evaluation, and Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a disease that requires complex management involving multiple medications, exercise, and lifestyle changes. It mainly affects older patients with depression and anxiety, who commonly find management difficult. Existing mobile apps supporting the self-management of CHF have limited features and are inadequately validated.

Decision Support for Medication Change of Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background And Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system for which currently there is no cure. Its treatment requires long-term, interdisciplinary disease management, and usage of typical medications, including levodopa, dopamine agonists, and enzymes, such as MAO-B inhibitors. The key goal of disease management is to prolong patients' independence and keep their quality of life.

Authentication of key aroma compounds in apple using stable isotope approach.

Gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) for the analysis of key volatile compounds sampled using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) is an appropriate tool for authenticity assessment of apple aromas. The current research characterises 18 laboratory produced and 15 commercial apple recovery aroma samples, establishes a database of δC values of 16 aroma compounds with respect to their origin (synthetic and natural), and assesses the authenticity of commercially available aroma compounds. Analysis of so-called natural aroma products, revealed δC values that were within the expected authentic range although the data did reveal possible falsifications.

A Personal Decision Support System for Heart Failure Management (HeartMan): study protocol of the HeartMan randomized controlled trial.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a highly prevalent chronic disease, for which there is no cure available. Therefore, improving disease management is crucial, with mobile health (mHealth) being a promising technology. The aim of the HeartMan study is to evaluate the effect of a personal mHealth system on top of standard care on disease management and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in HF.