Influence of Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions on Dementia: A Pilot Study.

According to national dementia plan in many countries, the music implementation into the daily routine as an adjunctive therapy to medication treatment is common. However, the ability of long-term care facilities to implement individualized music therapy (MT) and music-based interventions is not sufficiently taken into account. This pilot study examined the frequency of use and acceptance of MT and technology-based music interventions (TBMI) as well as the influence of high and low usage of both interventions of dementia on behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) at two timepoints.

Effects of a long-term smartphone-based self-monitoring intervention in patients with lipid metabolism disorders.

The majority of lipid metabolism disorders can be managed well if patients adhere to their therapies. Self-monitoring can drive adherence with regards to medication intake, physical activities, and nutrition. Technical devices like smartphones can further support its users to achieve health-related goals.

Usability and acceptability by a younger and older user group regarding a mobile robot-supported gait rehabilitation system.

The aim of the study was to identify differences regarding usability, acceptability, and barriers of usage of a robot-supported gait rehabilitation system between a younger and older group of patients with gait impairments. A mobile robot-supported gait rehabilitation prototype was tested on a group of geriatric patients aged 60 and above, and on a group of young patients aged 59 and below in a clinical setting during five therapy sessions. The involved therapists received 2 days training with the system and could test it profoundly.

Taking control! Structural and behavioural plasticity in response to game-based inhibition training in older adults.

While previous attempts to train self-control in humans have frequently failed, we set out to train response inhibition using computer-game elements. We trained older adults with a newly developed game-based inhibition training on a tablet for two months and compared them to an active and passive control group. Behavioural effects reflected in shorter stop signal response times that were observed only in the inhibition-training group.

An eye movement analysis of web usability: Differences between older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment.

Older adults are exposed to computer-based applications daily. However, most websites and applications are not specifically developed for older adults. Studies have shown that older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) behave differently from older adults without MCI in website usage.

Evaluating an Online Cognitive Training Platform for Older Adults: User Experience and Implementation Requirements.

Decline of cognitive function is a part of aging. However, intensive cognitive training can improve important cognitive functions, such as attention and working memory. Because existing systems are not older adult-friendly and are usually not based on scientific evidence, an online platform was developed for cognitive training with information and communication features and evaluated in an 8-week field test.

Implementation of a home-based interactive training system for fall prevention: requirements and challenges.

A critical need exists for rehabilitation for improving older adults' physical abilities, especially in the field of fall prevention. Although virtual reality and ambient-assistive technology-based approaches are promising, they are cost intensive and frequently face significant obstacles during the developmental process. The authors of the current article developed a motivational interactive training system for fall prevention and stroke rehabilitation and planned a pilot study to measure its usability, user acceptance, and effect on physical abilities and quality of life.

[Analysis of how elderly internet users react to unexpected situations].

Background: Although internet usage among older adults is steadily increasing, there is still a digital divide between generations. Younger internet users seem to be more open towards new media. Recent studies showed the negative influence of computer anxiety on internet usage.

Requirements of older adults for a daily use of an internet-based cognitive training platform.

A decline of cognitive abilities is a part of normal human ageing. However, recent research has demonstrated that an enriched environment can have a beneficial impact on cognitive function in old age. Accordingly, mentally and socially active lifestyles are associated with less cognitive decline in old age.

Comparison of four different mobile devices for measuring heart rate and ECG with respect to aspects of usability and acceptance by older people.

In the area of product design and usability, most products are developed for the mass-market by technically oriented designers and developers for use by persons who themselves are also technically adept by today's standards. The demands of older people are commonly not given sufficient consideration within the early developmental process. In the present study, the usability and acceptability of four different devices meant to be worn for the measurement of heart rate or ECG were analyzed on the basis of qualitative subjective user ratings and structured interviews of twelve older participants.