Clinical Research Directory

Developing a Balance Rehabilitation System for Older Adults, Based on IMU and AI: Personalized Training and Preventive Strategies

The aging physiological state of the elderly may lead to problems such as unstable gait, balance disorders, and falls. Previous research has confirmed that exercise training can help improve the physical function, quality of life, and reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. In order to achieve effective and continuous intervention training, somatosensory games have become a trend in recent years. Among them, the use of non-immersive virtual reality training methods not only provides training for the elderly, but also reduces the discomfort caused by the virtual environment; however, there are some limitations in clinical rehabilitation training methods, such as the lack of data-based evaluation and personalization. In order to solve the above problems, this research plan will use the inertial measurement unit as a tool for clinical monitoring and human movement assessment, and use artificial intelligence technology to evaluate and adjust the training plan according to its gait characteristics to achieve personalization Training and prevention strategies.

OTAGO Exercise Program and Motivational Interviewing

The goal of this study is to see if OTAGO instructors, who have been trained in a special communication method called motivational interviewing, can help older adults start and stick with the OTAGO exercise program. The results will help guide future research on how behavior change techniques can support other fall prevention strategies.

Effect of Personalised Citizen Assistance for Social Participation(APIC) on Older Adults Health and Social Participation

Global aging and the growing burden of chronic diseases represent a challenge. Innovative interventions acting upon health determinants, like social participation, are required. Social participation, defined as the involvement of a person in activities that provide interactions with others in the community is critical to promote health and prevent disabilities. Many older adults do not have equitable opportunities to achieve full social participation, and interventions under-empower their personal and environmental resources and only reach a minority. To optimize current practices, the Personalised citizen assistance for social participation (APIC), an intervention demonstrated as being feasible and having positive impacts, needs further evaluation. The first aim of this study is evaluate the impacts of the APIC on older adults' health, social participation, life satisfaction and healthcare services utilisation. The second aim is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. In parallel, the implementation of the APIC, including factors facilitating and impeding it, will be documented. Concerning the first two objectives, two hypotheses are formulated: 1) the APIC will prevent a decline in older women's and men's health, social participation and life satisfaction, and reduce their use of healthcare services, and 2) the APIC will be associated with lower costs, from older adults', healthcare system and societal perspectives, including healthcare expenditures.

Nationwide Multi-dimensional Health Promotion Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Global organizations advocate for "active" and "healthy aging," emphasizing preventive health promotion. Taiwan's Long-Term Care 2.0 and the National Health Administration's "Healthy Exercise Class" exemplify this. Evaluating these programs' effectiveness is crucial, but complex due to diverse influencing factors. This study focuses on the often-overlooked role of program leaders' facilitation skills in impacting program success. This study investigates the effectiveness of multi-domain community health promotion programs for older adults and its influencing factors. Specifically, it aims to: 1. assess the immediate benefits (objective/subjective health status, satisfaction) for participating older adults. 2. explore related factors (group leadership skills, personal factors) using Andersen's Behavioral Model. A prospective, single-group, pre- and post-test design will be used. Participants (leaders and older adults) will be recruited from "Healthy Exercise Class" sites nationwide. Pre- and post-intervention data will be analyzed to determine program effectiveness. Multiple linear regression will identify influencing factors, including the mediating and moderating effects of leader facilitation skill confidence. The study aims to inform policy improvements for government-led older adult health promotion.

Trajectory of Frailty and Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults

To explore the heterogeneity of the development trend of frailty and cognitive function of older adults.