ICT4AWE 2024 Abstracts

Area 1 - Aging Well – Social and Human Sciences Perspective

Full Papers

Paper Nr:	7
Title:	Anxiety and EEG Frontal Theta-Beta Ratio Relationship Analysis Across Personality Traits During HDR Affective Videos Experience
Authors:	Majid Riaz and Raffaele Gravina
Abstract:	To comprehend the intricate interplay between the frontal regions of the brain, anxiety, and their connection with individual personality traits holds promising potential for developing contemporary, personality-aware interventions in anxiety healthcare design. Traditionally, emotional content with low dynamic range has been employed for anxiety assessment, with personality traits serving as mediators. This paper introduces a novel approach, examining the influence of personality traits on the relationship between anxiety and electroencephalography (EEG) frontal Theta-Beta Ratio (TBR) during high dynamic range (HDR) arousal-valence affective content exposures. Twenty-seven subjects were categorized into five groups based on big five personality scores, further subdivided into high and low personality traits. Correlation analyses were conducted separately for the right and left frontal regions. Across four HDR video clips, each positioned within a distinct valence-arousal plane, it was observed that for High Arousal High Valence (HAHV) and High Arousal Low Valence (HALV), most personality trait groups exhibited a negative correlation between anxiety and frontal TBR, while a positive correlation was noted for Low Arousal Low Valence (LALV) and Low Arousal High Valence (LAHV) HDR emotional content. The findings indicate that the big five personality traits are the pivotal intermediate psychological factors affecting alterations in brain activity and anxiety.
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Paper Nr:	18
Title:	Improving the Digital Literacy and Social Participation of Older Adults: An Inclusive Platform that Fosters Intergenerational Learning
Authors:	Yusuf Farag, Gopichand Narra, Dharini Balasubramaniam and Kenneth M. Boyd
Abstract:	In an increasingly digitalised world, many older adults face the choice of improving their digital skills or risking social isolation and exclusion from essential services. With older adults expected to represent 16% of the global population by 2050, there is a renewed urgency to improve their digital literacy. Although many in-person and online technology training initiatives exist, they are often not accessible or poorly optimised for older adults. Younger adults, who typically form older adults’ support network, may be key to any solution. However, their help typically serves as a temporary fix until a new issue arises, leading to a cycle of dependency. This pilot study offers insights into the technology experiences of older adults, the ways in which younger individuals assist them, and how both groups stay connected. We conducted small-scale but in-depth user studies with older adults, and an online survey of younger adults, to understand how the technology support process could be improved to promote older adult autonomy and active ageing. Based on our findings, we propose an age-friendly platform that leverages intergenerational exchanges for a personalised learning experience that brings together younger and older adults. The final prototype was well received by participants in the user study. However, further exploration of other aspects of their lives and cultural differences in intergenerational learning, and larger studies of younger and older individuals are needed to co-create a solution that helps bridge the global digital divide while enabling older adults to have more fulfilling lives.
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Paper Nr:	57
Title:	Measuring Older People’s Attitudes Towards Personal Robots
Authors:	Helen Petrie and Sanjit Samaddar
Abstract:	Robotic technologies are increasingly an important form of technology to support older people. It is important to have easy ways of measuring their attitudes to the kinds of robots which might support them. A study was conducted with 249 older people in the UK who viewed videos of three different types of robots (abstract, pet and humanoid) and rated their attitudes to each using an adaptation of the Almere model questionnaire. Analysis of the Almere Questionnaire revealed three underlying components to attitudes to the personal robots: Positive User Experience; Anxiety and Negative Usability; and Social Presence. There were significant differences between the three personal robots in older people’s attitudes to them, with the pet robot having the most positive attitudes. These results are a set towards creating simple methods for developing a clear understanding of older people’s attitudes to personal robots which may be useful in helping them choose appropriate robots to support themselves. The results make a contribution to understanding the attitudes of older people in the UK to three types of personal robot that they may find useful and companionable.
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Short Papers

Paper Nr:	12
Title:	How Can Open Educational Resources Promote Equity in Education?
Authors:	Francisca R. Lourenço, Rita Oliveira and Oksana Tymoshchuk
Abstract:	Currently, the growth and development of Open Educational Resources (OER) offers the opportunity to improve access to and transfer of knowledge and information. As such, the adoption of OER has often been associated with social equity, as it helps students overcome educational inequalities regarding access, participation, and results in the various formal learning contexts. This document therefore explores how OER can be used to promote social inclusion and equitable access to education. A literature review was carried out that analysed 20 documents on the promotion of equity in education through OER, identifying the opportunities and barriers in this regard and concluding that the use of OER in education must always consider the needs of students in order to truly contribute to equity. With this in mind, a number of strategies were identified, such as the provision of Internet and ICT, the development of digital literacy programmes and training and guidance in searching and filtering OER, to maximize the potential of OER in promoting equity, in order to achieve inclusive, equitable and quality learning and education.
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Paper Nr:	14
Title:	Outside the Box: Exploring Determinants for Participation in a Digitally Enhanced Remote Museum Visit for Older Adults
Authors:	Caterina Maidhof, Martina Ziefle and Andreas Sackl
Abstract:	Cultural activities bear well-being benefits that are suitable for older adults who have an increased need to socialize and remain active. With an exploratory qualitative approach, the study aimed to investigate partic-ipants‘ behavioural intention to attend a remote, digitally enhanced cultural event, which involves both the appreciation of art and social exchange. Opinions of 18 participants (age range: 60- 86) from four European countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain) were assessed through semi-structured interviews. The paper presents deductive themes based on the theory of planned behaviour as well as emerged inductive themes which comprise general recommendations for such an event. The findings highlight a positive perception and strong behavioural intention for participating in a cultural event like this, offering insights for museum organizations and designers, and emphasizing the importance of user-friendly technology and inclusive design.
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Paper Nr:	28
Title:	A Tailored Internet of Things Lighting Solution to Support Circadian Rhythms and Wellbeing for People Living with Dementia
Authors:	Kate Turley, Joseph Rafferty, Raymond Bond, Assumpta Ryan, Maurice Mulvenna and Lloyd Crawford
Abstract:	Light is a requirement for setting and maintaining the body’s circadian rhythm, however our knowledge of the spectral content, timing and duration of lighting exposure for the indoors is not well defined. For people living with dementia, this knowledge gap is important to address since they experience more heavily disrupted circadian rhythms, which can heighten symptoms of sundowning, agitation, low mood and poor sleep quality. This paper focuses on the required design aspects for a dynamic lighting and sensing device tailored towards supporting the wellbeing of people living with dementia. The authors discuss the current understanding of lighting for health, identify the gaps to be addressed and propose the design and research protocol for an indoor lighting and sensing solution. The device is currently deployed within a care home and analysis of results is forthcoming.
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Paper Nr:	34
Title:	Design of BCI-Based Exoskeleton System for Knee Rehabilitation
Authors:	Maryam Khoshkhooy Titkanlou, Duc T. Pham and Roman Mouček
Abstract:	Injuries of the lower limb, particularly the knee, usually require several months of rehabilitation. Exoskeletons are great tools supporting the rehabilitation process; their research and suitable practical use are at the center of interest of researchers and physiotherapists. This paper focuses on designing a brain-computer-interface (BCI)-controlled exoskeleton for knee rehabilitation. It includes reviewing and selecting electroencephalography (EEG) acquisition methods, BCI paradigms, current acquisition devices, signal classification methods and techniques, and the target group of people for whom the exoskeleton will be suitable. Finally, the preliminary proposal of the exoskeleton is provided.
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Paper Nr:	43
Title:	Recommendations for Designing Information for People with Dementia: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors:	Rita M. Branco, Mariana Ramalhete, Rita Oliveira, Joana Quental, Oscar Ribeiro, Oksana Tymoshchuk and Soraia Teles
Abstract:	Background: Aligned with the societal efforts for the inclusion and empowerment of people with dementia, there is a need for targeted information for them. Despite abundant dementia-related information, it often fails to cater directly to individuals with dementia and lacks tailoring to their needs and capabilities, frequently due to inadequate design. Objectives: This paper presents the protocol of a study aiming to provide an overview of recommendations for designing information for people with dementia. Method: A scoping review will be conducted. Scientific databases and grey literature will be searched using inclusion criteria focused on recommendations on information design and related design domains for people with dementia. Two reviewers will perform title, abstract and full-text screening. Data collection will include citation details, source characteristics, and key findings related to the review objective. Conclusions: The scoping review is anticipated to deliver a thorough understanding of how to design information resources for individuals with dementia. The synthesized recommendations are expected to be valuable resources for design practitioners, dementia care providers, researchers, and organizations involved in interventions for people with dementia. These contributions are expected to foster equal opportunities for individuals with dementia to access information, ultimately enhancing their social participation and dignity.
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Paper Nr:	51
Title:	Conceptualizing the Active Ageing Index (AAI): A Systematic Literature Review of Frameworks and Supporting Digital Tools
Authors:	María I. Acosta-Urigüen, Juan P. Holguín-Carvajal, Mateo S. Zea-Paredes, Juan F. Lima, Alexandra Bermeo, Javier Díaz and Ivana Harari
Abstract:	Currently, due to the growth of cities, a sedentary lifestyle, and increase in life expectancy, multiple approaches are being analyzed on caring for the well-being of older adults. As part of these efforts, initiatives have been developed to measure full aging. The active ageing index (AAI) proposed by the United Nations (UN) is one of the most relevant measures; it was constructed using several lifestyle features. However, it is relevant to identify whether the initiative of AAI is being adopted around the world, emphasizing the frameworks and technological instruments for its execution, thus this work presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) for collecting data related to AAI’s adoption by means of a qualitative analysis. The results reinforced that the UN index is the one with the greatest impact; however, other countries and organizations are proposing other approaches. On the other hand, the European Union countries are at the forefront in the development, specifically since 2015. A qualitative analysis demonstrated that specific features have a greater impact on its calculation, highlighting participation in society, people’s educational achievements, and access to health services. Finally, the review shows insights for an analysis stage, but not yet the implementation phase.
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Paper Nr:	52
Title:	Advancements in the Understanding of What Wellbeing at Very Old Age Is: An Exploratory Study
Authors:	Cosmina Paul, Magda Velciu and Luiza Spiru
Abstract:	With increasing number of old older adults worldwide, understanding and promoting wellbeing become a priority. The state of wellbeing is a multifaceted phenomenon that refers to an individual’s subjective perception and, therefore, exploring perspectives of old older adults for ageing well is developing to be a relevant area of research, along the general topic of aging well regardless of age. The purpose of this article was to explore perspectives of wellbeing among old older adults from Romania and Portugal. A comparative perspective to a sample of older adults in the context of testing Wellbeing of Older People Survey was employed. Three major themes were identified: a) with age, the relevance of physical and mental health fade for the old older adults’ perspective, hence the importance of preserving their wellbeing, b) belonging transform from independence and feeling useful into social contacts and c) the most important things with age is making ends meet and the satisfaction towards the living situation. This study contributes to get a better insight concerning old older adults’ perspectives on wellbeing and aging well. Enhancing support in care and designing age friendly cities which support participation in social activities, living situation are all contributing factors to aging well. Vital factors are to be considered in developing strategic health and rehabilitative plans for promoting aging well among older adults.
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Paper Nr:	58
Title:	Insights from Co-Design of Underwater Telepresence and Extended Reality Technologies with Digitally Excluded Older Adults
Authors:	Oksana Hagen, Marius Varga, Rory Baxter, Ray Jones, Amir Aly, Dena Bazazian, Swen Gaudl and Alejandro V. Reyes
Abstract:	The Intergenerational Co-design of Novel Technologies In Coastal Communities (ICONIC) project is running co-design workshops with older (50+) and younger people (16-30) to design technologies suitable for older people’s wellbeing. We aim to design four novel technologies in extended reality (XR), underwater telepresence (UT), social games and voice interaction. This late breaking report focuses on workshop results for the first two technologies. Ten workshops were held (August 23 - February 24) involving 24 older people and 12 younger people. Our co-design methods were demonstrably feasible although recruiting younger people is difficult. Nevertheless, the thematic and content analysis showed the importance of intergenerational collaboration for the participants, a consistent desire for social interaction aspect in technology design, the existence of a duality between the desire for immersion and connection to physical reality, as well as special attention to cost and accessibility. As an outcome of the co-design process, we are developing prototype systems streaming live video from an underwater 360° camera underwater in the sea and XR presence in a historical building. We discuss some of the crucial considerations of the technology co-design process such as balancing the introduction of existing technology to raise awareness versus idea generation. Insights obtained from ICONIC’s co-design workshops are relevant to researchers designing information and communication technologies for older people.
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Paper Nr:	23
Title:	Advantages and Challenges of Using AI for People with Disabilities
Authors:	Sarah Taleghani, Bushra Kundi, Fariah Mobeen, Yahya El-Lahib, Rachel Gorman and Christo El Morr
Abstract:	This paper discusses the usage of AI in health informatics and its benefits and challenges for people with disabilities. While AI can assist in tracing pandemics, predicting disease onset, and advocating for human rights, it can also perpetuate biases towards different groups, including people with disabilities. A systematic scoping review was conducted to explore the interplay between disability and AI. We examined 45 articles from eight online databases and highlighted the potential of AI in enhancing healthcare. However, it also revealed a high prevalence of a narrow medical model of disability and an ableist perspective in AI research, emphasizing the need for more inclusive AI systems. Using AI has the potential to benefit all members of society equitably. The findings suggest that AI has great potential for transforming healthcare. However, there is a need to conduct more research in this area, particularly in relation to AI bias, inclusive design, and considering social factors.
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Paper Nr:	53
Title:	New Insights into the end-User Requirements for Remote Monitoring for Aging at Home Contributions to the Third Digital Divide
Authors:	Cosmina Paul, Andreea Stamate and Luiza Spiru
Abstract:	Well-being and independence are highly valued in Western European countries. Though, we need a more in-depth understanding of how older adults and their next of kin perceive how monitoring technologies can support ageing at home. Older adults are the most heterogeneous population in terms of health and functional status comparative to all the other age groups and their formal and informal caregivers need also to be accounted for in this endeavor. Therefore, the understanding of the process of accepting and adopting new monitoring products is cumbersome as the current low adoption rates show despite innovators promises. By employing a gerontographics approach, we aim at understanding what are the older adults’ expectations from remote monitoring, a growing industry but with a low adoption rate. Hence, we have concluded that a) all categories are interested in alarm features rather than day to day monitoring, b) the more independent one is, more interested is in controlling/ handling the device, c) those psychologically well are rather stressed about monitoring and prefer not to trade their privacy for safety,) all next of kin are much interested in high data accuracy. We have also noted that the first and second digital divides, related to costs and relevance, persist, and they add up to the third one. The third digital divide is about to happen, with respect to data and ethics of the technologies, the need of the older adults or their next of kin to control and understand the device.
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Area 2 - Digital Health and e-health

Full Papers

Paper Nr:	11
Title:	Enhancing Predictive Modeling in Emergency Departments
Authors:	Mojgan Kouhounestani, Long Song, Ling Luo and Uwe Aickelin
Abstract:	Increasing global Emergency Department (ED) visits, exacerbated by COVID-19, has presented multiple challenges in recent years. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) as comprehensive digital repositories of patient health information offer a pathway to construct prediction systems to address these issues. However, the heterogeneity of EHRs complicates accurate predictions. A notable challenge is the prevalence of high-cardinality nominal features (NFs) in EHRs. Due to their numerous distinct values, these features are often excluded from the analysis, risking information loss, reduced accuracy, and interpretability. This study proposes a framework, integrating a preprocessing technique with target encoding (TE-PrepNet) into machine learning (ML) models to address challenges of NFs from MIMIC-IV-ED. We evaluate performance of TE-PrepNet in two specific ED-based prediction tasks: triage-based hospital admissions and ED reattendance within 72 hours at discharge time. Incorporating three NFs, our approach demonstrates improvements compared to the baseline and outperforms previous research that overlooked NFs. Random forest model with TE-PrepNet in the prediction of hospitalisation achieved an AUROC of 0.8458, compared to the baseline AUROC of 0.7520. For the prediction of ED reattendance within 72 hours, the utilisation of XGBoost yielded an improvement, attaining an AUROC of 0.6975, outperforming the baseline AUROC of 0.6166.
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Paper Nr:	21
Title:	Missing Data Imputation in Daily Wearable Data for Improved Classification Performance
Authors:	Mikel Catalina, Ander Cejudo and Cristina Martín
Abstract:	In the realm of wearable technology, the continuous monitoring of health parameters through smartwatches provides a wealth of daily data for research and analysis. However, this data often encounters missing values, presenting a challenge for interpretation and utilization. Remarkably, there exists a notable gap in the literature concerning the imputation of missing daily data from smartwatches. To address this gap, our study systematically explores a diverse set of imputation methods with Fitbit wearable data, encompassing various scenarios and missing rates. Our primary objectives are: (i) measure the influence of missing values rate and distribution on the proposed imputation methods; (ii) assess the role of data imputation in enhancing the performance of machine learning algorithms. Our results underscore the pivotal role of missing data patterns in imputation method selection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that more advanced data imputation approaches positively contributes to the efficacy of classification algorithms, improving 4,4% and 0,4% in terms of F-measure for the proposed classification tasks. This study not only addresses the challenges associated with missing data in wearable daily monitoring but it also provides practical insights for the optimization of machine learning applications in health monitoring.
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Paper Nr:	22
Title:	Incorporating Cognitive Training with Elderly People’s Everyday Use of Smartphones
Authors:	Hasanin M. Salman, Anna Prand-Stritzko, Barnabé Petit, Bastien Pujol, Lara Janssen, Maria M. Figueras and Way Kiat Bong
Abstract:	The ageing population is growing rapidly, and the risk of cognitive decline among this populace is alarming. Dementia patients represent one of the most significant groups among individuals experiencing cognitive decline. Despite having pharmacological medications available to support dementia patients, non-pharmacological interventions can be a better approach, considering the cost and undesired side effects. Mobile cognitive training applications (apps) have been introduced to elderly individuals, but adoption rates have not been high. One possible reason for this can be that they do not perceive such apps as useful. These apps are standalone apps that do not take users’ real-life tasks into consideration. Hence, in this study, we aim to integrate cognitive training exercises with elderly’s everyday use of smartphones. First, we gathered user requirements by conducting literature review, app research and an interview with an elderly person. We then conducted four iterations of prototyping and evaluations, where feedback from participants in the evaluations was used to improve the prototypes developed in next iteration. Through the entire process, we generated some lessons learned that are applicable for designing such apps. Future work includes further development of this app to make it fully functional, and testing it in a longitudinal study.
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Paper Nr:	32
Title:	Real-Time CNN Based Facial Emotion Recognition Model for a Mobile Serious Game
Authors:	Carolain Anto-Chavez, Richard Maguiña-Bernuy and Willy Ugarte
Abstract:	Every year, the increase in human-computer interaction is noticeable. This brings with it the evolution of computer vision to improve this interaction to make it more efficient and effective. This paper presents a CNN-based emotion face recognition model capable to be executed on mobile devices, in real time and with high accuracy. Different models implemented in other research are usually of large sizes, and although they obtained high accuracy, they fail to make predictions in an optimal time, which prevents a fluid interaction with the computer. To improve these, we have implemented a lightweight CNN model trained with the FER-2013 dataset to obtain the prediction of seven basic emotions. Experimentation shows that our model achieves an accuracy of 66.52% in validation, can be stored in a 13.23MB file and achieves an average processing time of 14.39ms and 16.06ms, on a tablet and a phone, respectively.
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Paper Nr:	35
Title:	Applying Multiple Instance Learning for Breast Cancer Lesion Detection in Mammography Images
Authors:	Nedra Amara and Said Gattoufi
Abstract:	Breast cancer remains a major global health problem and early detection is essential to improve patient outcomes. Current computer-aided detection (CAD) systems for breast cancer are often based on fully supervised training, which requires careful manual annotation and accurate tumor segmentation. This paper presents a novel approach based on multiple instance and transfer learning techniques. Our method uses an adapted threshold segmentation technique to extract many small spots from mammography images. Instance features are then extracted using a pre-trained model and grouped into a unified representation. A classifier trained on these representations is used to classify the data. The proposed method eliminates the need for precise tumor segmentation while demonstrating high accuracy in breast cancer detection.
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Short Papers

Paper Nr:	13
Title:	A Neural Network for Automatic Handwriting Extraction and Recognition in Psychodiagnostic Questionnaires
Authors:	Giulia R. Avis, Fabio D’Adda, David Chieregato, Elia Guarnieri, Maria Meliante, Andrea P. Pierotti and Marco Cremaschi
Abstract:	This paper presents PANTHER, a neural network model for automatic handwriting extraction and recognition in psychodiagnostic questionnaires. Psychodiagnostic tools are essential for assessing and monitoring mental health conditions, but they often rely on pen-and-paper administration, which poses several challenges for data collection and analysis. PANTHER aims to address this problem by using a convolutional neural network to classify scanned questionnaires into their respective types and extract the patient’s responses from the handwritten annotations. The model is trained and evaluated on a dataset of five questionnaires commonly used in psychological and psychiatric settings, achieving high accuracy and similarity scores. The paper also describes the creation of an open-source library based on PANTHER, which can be integrated into a digital platform for delivering psychological services. This paper contributes to the field of computer vision and psychological assessment by providing a novel and effective solution for digitising pen-and-paper questionnaires.
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Paper Nr:	25
Title:	Adoption of Digital Health Technologies in Supported Living Services
Authors:	Peter Elimian, Ceyda Kiyak and Deniz Cetinkaya
Abstract:	The adoption of digital health technologies in supported living services has shown great potential to revolutionise the quality of support offered to service users who are predominantly adults with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. Despite these potential benefits, the adoption of these technologies in supported living services remains at a low level. Therefore, this study aimed to address this gap by investigating the factors influencing the adoption of digital health technologies in supported living services. The research employed a mixed-method approach, conducting a case study in two local supported living services with a sample size of six participants, three from each service. Analysis of the collected data, utilizing both descriptive statistics and thematic approaches, revealed that 83.3% of participants acknowledged widespread acceptance of digital health technologies in the services. Notably, 66.7% highlighted the prevalence of health monitoring and assistive technology devices, including blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors, mobility scooters, and virtual assistants. Participants attributed the positive adoption environment to facilitation factors such as enhanced funding, training initiatives, and organizational support. Furthermore, most participants emphasized the essential need for a medication reminder app, expressing a preference for an easy-to-use and user-friendly design.
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Paper Nr:	33
Title:	A Regression Based Approach for Leishmaniasis Outbreak Detection
Authors:	Ernie Baptista, Franco Vigil and Willy Ugarte
Abstract:	Leishmaniasis is part of a group of diseases called Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that affects poor and forgotten communities and reports more than 5,000 cases in regions like Brazil, Peru, and Colombia being categorized as endemic in these. In this study, we present a machine-learning model (Random Forest) to predict cases in the future and predict possible outbreaks using meteorological and epidemiological data of the province of la Convencion (Cusco - Peru). Understanding how climate variables affect leishmaniasis outbreaks is an important problem to help people to perform prevention systems. We used several techniques to obtain better metrics and improve our model performance such as synthetic data and hyperparameter optimization. Results showed two important climate factors to analyze and no outbreaks.
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Paper Nr:	36
Title:	hospOS: A Platform for Service Robot Orchestration in Hospitals
Authors:	Sebastian Schmidt, Domenic Sommer, Tobias Greiler and Florian Wahl
Abstract:	In a time where an ageing population, nurses shortage and manual labor routines are limiting rural healthcare, Service Robots (SR) are emerging. While SR could increase hospital staff efficiency, their healthcare use remains limited. Barriers are the robot’s task-specific inflexibility and a lack of interoperability. Existing SR are usually closed systems and focus on a single robot designed to fulfill all functional requirements, which results in complex and expensive solutions. In contrast, we propose to utilize and combine existing SR for various tasks. We argue that with the growing integration of SR in healthcare, a SR management system has become a necessity. We propose hospOS, a centralised system for SR orchestration in healthcare facilities. hospOS addresses this gap by providing a modular, flexible, user-friendly platform that seamlessly integrates SR into hospital IT infrastructures, alleviating the shortage of care workers and thus improving patient care. The platform is built with a focus on interoperability, modularity, and compliance with regulations. We evaluated hospOS in two rural hospitals by realising three example use cases: Telemedicine, transport, and orientation services. This paper offers an architecture blueprint and discusses the functionalities, and potential benefits of hospOS, along with its implementation in healthcare scenarios. The results from deployments indicate im-provements in service delivery and operational management.
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Paper Nr:	47
Title:	Contactless Physiology Radars to Promote Healthy Ageing via Remote Tracking: The Need for IoT Context
Authors:	Miquel Alfaras, Claus Vogelmeier, Nurlan Dauletbaev and Zouhair Haddi
Abstract:	In recent years, the use of high frequency radars to promote the contactless monitoring of physiology parameters of cardiorespiratory nature has seen an impressive progress pushing for the creation of clinical experiences beyond the telecommunications engineering field. In this position paper, we argue in favour of combining the expertise of IoT and smart home research that paved the way for remote digital health in the last decade, to foster a paradigm shift in healthy ageing an independent living promotion by means of disruptive support technology that may overcome privacy invasiveness, discomfort, and usability issues.
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Paper Nr:	49
Title:	Integrating Virtual Reality in Cognitive Training of Older Adults Without Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors:	João Pavão, Rute Bastardo and Nelson P. Rocha
Abstract:	This article aimed to analyse state-of-the-art empirical evidence of randomized controlled trials designed to assess preventive cognitive training interventions based on virtual reality for older adults without cognitive impairment, by identifying virtual reality setups and tasks, clinical outcomes and respective measurement instruments, and positive effects on outcome parameters. A systematic electronic search was performed, and six randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review. In terms of results, the included studies pointed to significant positive impact of virtual reality-based cognitive training interventions on global cognition, memory, attention, information processing speed, walking variability, balance, muscle strength, and falls. However, further research is required to evaluate the adequacy of the virtual reality setups and tasks, to study the impact of the interventions’ duration and intensity, to understand how to tailor the interventions to the characteristics and needs of the individuals, and to compare face-to-face to remote interventions.
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Paper Nr:	50
Title:	Contextualizing Syntactic Interoperability Data Standards for Health Information Exchange in Uganda's Public Healthcare System
Authors:	Bagyendera Moses, Nabende Peter, Godman Brian and Nabukenya Josephine
Abstract:	Syntactic interoperability data standards are crucial for effective collaboration in modern health systems, enabling seamless exchange of healthcare information. This paper aims to develop contextualized standards to support digital healthcare in Uganda within the WHO global strategic framework 2020-2025. The standards ensure patient data is collected, processed, shared, and stored in formats that facilitate interoperability. Validation was done by the Health Information Innovation Research and Evaluation Technical Working Group (HIIRETWG). A case study approach gathered primary data through questionnaires from Uganda’s healthcare experts. Derived from landscape studies, these standards underwent expert verification and testing. Results show strong support (96%) for the developed standards, with 68% participation from digital health experts. These standards are poised to strengthen Uganda’s digital health system and inform decision-making processes at various levels. The study underscores the importance of tailored standards to enhance healthcare information exchange in resource-limited settings.
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Paper Nr:	10
Title:	Health Scores for Generating Health-Respecting Shift Plans by Means of an Expert System from the Perspective of Care Organisations
Authors:	Damian Kutzias, Sandra Frings, Stefan Strunck and Petra Gaugisch
Abstract:	The care section is an essential part of our society as well as our everyday life. It is also a section which suffers from staff shortage. Even though the job itself is not the problem, the shortage is related to shift-related below-average working conditions. This work focuses on health-related aspects of shift planning in order to provide insights which can assist in improving the situation of care workers. To this end, a literature and law analysis was followed by interviews to collect, aggregate and extend health-related rules for the shift planning process. A list of derived rules from practice is presented in addition to a discussion of previous insights from literature. Based on these rules, a publicly available software demonstrator was implemented for sensitisation and to show how a health-focused shift plan generation could look like. The basis for shift plan evaluation is a health score definition, which takes into account the number of shifts and weighted rule violations. The demonstrator was also used on shift plan data covering several years, resulting in insights about rule violations from practice.
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Paper Nr:	19
Title:	Developing a Structural Standard for Smart Contract Electronic Health Records Based on the HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
Authors:	Christian Pulmano and Proceso Fernandez
Abstract:	Electronic health records (EHRs) are becoming more essential to patient care, as they provide information that is usually valuable for health and medical decision-making. Each EHR typically comprises validated data provided by medical professionals during patient care and personal health data recorded by the individual patient. Existing implementations of EHRs, however, are often siloed and managed by disparate organizations. Health information exchanges, which aim to interoperate EHRs by different health organizations, are also primarily centralized and can be vulnerable to attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) and data breaches. Blockchain is a potential solution to solving some of the current issues in health information exchange implementations. Smart contracts deployed on blockchain networks can help enforce appropriate health and medical record-keeping and sharing standards. This study aims to create a blockchain-based implementation that allows decentralized EHRs. Smart contracts were developed based on the Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (HL7 FHIR). Experiments were designed and simulated on a local Ethereum blockchain network where 10,000 (generated) patients’ records were processed for evaluation. The results show that a structural standard can be applied to EHR smart contracts, but while blockchain solutions for EHR systems may be expected to be less vulnerable than centralized systems, the gas costs in Ethereum are potentially prohibitive and should be carefully considered.
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Paper Nr:	30
Title:	Hidden Roles of Students and Digital Health Applications in the Field of Mental Health: A Study Protocol for a Prospective Study on Hidden Social Roles with Focus on Informal Relatives, Mental Health, Sleep, and Digital Health Applications
Authors:	Miriam I. Füßer, Thomas Ostermann, Jan Ehlers and Gregor Hohenberg
Abstract:	Students take on various hidden roles in life - including as informal carers. Due to the multiple burdens, young carers often suffer from psychological problems that cannot be treated due to a lack of therapeutic resources. Germany was the first country worldwide to include digital health applications in its health insurance portfolio. In this research project, which is to be carried out as part of a doctorate, the aim is to use an online survey to record the level of knowledge and willingness to use digital health applications, to identify the social roles as well as the associated activities and their amount of time, and to identify the mental health status of students to query. A digital health application for insomnia should be tested, as insomnia is a common accompanying symptom of psychological problems. It is expected that the level of knowledge about digital health applications is low, but there is a willingness to use them. It is also expected that a significant proportion of students are young carers. The digital health application against insomnia is expected to improve the sleep of many students. This doctorate is intended to give the included elements more visibility. The study is registered retrospectively.
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Paper Nr:	48
Title:	Towards the Standardization of Disease Registry Form Structure
Authors:	Fatimetou Sidina, Hatem Bellaaj and Mohamed Jmaiel
Abstract:	This paper presents a set of specifications for disease registry forms that vary from one registry to another, emphasizing their standardization to ensure better interoperability and data analysis. After an in-depth review of the state-of-the-art disease registry forms, we introduce a standardized structure adhering to the essential data standards set by EPIRARE (Taruscio et al, 2014), a project funded by the European Union to improve standardization and data comparability among patient registries, while respecting all question suggestions provided by the Patient Registry Item Specifications and Metadata for Rare Disease PRISM project (Richesson, Shereff and Andrews, 2012). This structure has been validated on several registries currently in use, demonstrating a high level of accuracy.
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Area 3 - Telemedicine and Independent Living

Full Papers

Paper Nr:	54
Title:	A Novel Approach in Testing Life-Monitoring Technologies for Ageing in Place: A Focus on Fall Detection and Behavioural Alerts
Authors:	Nicolas Bioul, Arthur Pisvin, Maxim Lamirande, Jérôme Leclère, Lucas El Raghibi, Adrien Denis and Benoît Macq
Abstract:	Addressing the issues of age and disability, our study presents a systematic technique for evaluating smart home technology designed to improve independent living. While acknowledging companies’ efforts in this field, we created a framework to assess potential solutions using a rigorous demographic study that defined various user profiles - or personae - as the foundation for our comparison research. Our methodology is based on a dual-focused analytical approach: analysing installation processes and operating performance, with a particular emphasis on fall detection and behaviour analysis. To evaluate fall detection, we developed a test protocol, which resulted in the compilation of a large database. We pioneered the use of virtual personae in a game engine for behavioural analysis, which are simulated in living contexts via probabilistic activity generation. This novel approach allowed the creation of virtual sensor data, which was then analysed by AI algorithms thus generating alerts. This study emphasises the possibility for combining IoT and AI to reduce the need for institutional care by offering real-time help and monitoring. Our methodology takes a thorough approach to assessing the efficacy of smart home devices, ensuring that they are adaptable to the real-world demands of the ageing population and people with disabilities.
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Short Papers

Paper Nr:	15
Title:	A Falls Risk Screening Tool Based on Millimetre-Wave Radar
Authors:	Elif Dogu, Jose A. Paredes, Akram Alomainy, Janelle M. Jones and Khalid Z. Rajab
Abstract:	Falls among the older adults pose a global health concern, necessitating innovative approaches for timely and effective falls risk screening. Aiming to develop a real-time falls risk screening tool, this study explores the integration of millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar technology with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, which is a widely used screening tool that combines parameters measuring a person’s dynamic balance and functional mobility. Radar technology has emerged as a promising tool for non-intrusive, continuous monitoring of movements – including gait patterns and mobility – in real-life scenarios. By leveraging Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar, the study assesses its performance against video recordings in TUG completion time measurement. The completion time, conventionally measured manually with a timer in clinical settings, was derived from radar measurements using two different methods based on distance, and micro-Doppler (i.e. velocity). Results indicate radar’s superior accuracy in distance-based measures with 3.48% error and a correlation of 0.9996, surpassing manual timing (4.26% error, 0.9960 correlation) and demonstrating viability for falls risk screening protocols. The velocity-based determination performed slightly poorer (6.49% error, 0.9936 correlation), which is attributable to the very high sensitivity of the radar in detecting small motions, such as shuffling in a chair, that are not a part of the TUG sequence. This study contributes to healthcare technology innovation, emphasising radar’s transformative role beyond falls risk assessment. The precision of radar-based measurements opens avenues for enhanced diagnostics, monitoring, and personalised care.
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Paper Nr:	44
Title:	Improving Accessibility with Gamification Strategies: Development of a Prototype App
Authors:	Tiago A. Araújo, Joana Campos, Marta C. Ferreira and Carla S. Fernandes
Abstract:	Objective: The study aimed to demonstrate the development of a mobile app prototype, BarrierBeGone, a system that identifies potential barriers for individuals with mobility disabilities and promotes accessibility using gamification strategies. The main goal is to raise awareness about mobility and accessibility difficulties, especially for wheelchair users, and to promote more responsible behaviours. Method: The User-Centred Design methodology was employed, going through three phases: requirements gathering, design and development, and evaluation. Additionally, interviews with five individuals with mobility disabilities helped define the initial system requirements. The development of the barrier identification system was followed by usability tests with nine representative users. Results: The results of the usability tests of the "BarrierBeGone" barrier identification system were extremely positive. Stakeholders recognized the utility and simplicity of the platform, considering it a motivating factor for future use. Conclusion: The results support the effectiveness of the proposed educational tool in increasing awareness about accessibility and social inclusion in smart cities. This study makes a significant contribution to the field of urban planning and inclusive design.
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