Can Older Adult Emergency Department Patients Successfully Use the Apple Watch to Monitor Health?

Overview

Journal R I Med J (2013)

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Jul 29

PMID 34323880

Citations 3

Authors

Kevin Chen

Hari Dandapani

Kate M Guthrie

Elizabeth Goldberg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To determine usability of the Apple Watch in older adult emergency department (ED) patients after a fall.

Methods: We recruited older adults who fell and visited two urban EDs. They participated in an Apple Watch orientation and interviews on their experiences using the watch to complete varied tasks for 30 days. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using framework analyses.

Results: Eight participants (mean age 77.6 years) enrolled from November 2019 to March 2020. Participants reported being able to apply and charge the watch but struggled with navigating screens, monitoring charging status, and responding with de novo text messages. Many cited difficulties with advanced tasks, such as the study's app-based movement and memory activities. Experience with smartphones and caregiver assistance enhanced users' ability to complete tasks.

Conclusions: Older adults successfully performed basic Apple Watch functions. Family and community members may be necessary to assist with complex tasks.

Citing Articles

Attributes, Methods, and Frameworks Used to Evaluate Wearables and Their Companion mHealth Apps: Scoping Review.

Moorthy P, Weinert L, Schuttler C, Svensson L, Sedlmayr B, Muller J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024; 12:e52179.

PMID: 38578671 PMC: 11031706. DOI: 10.2196/52179.

Acceptance of the Apple Watch Series 6 for Telemonitoring of Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Qualitative Descriptive Study Part 1.

Arnaert A, Sumbly P, Costa D, Liu Y, Debe Z, Charbonneau S JMIR Aging. 2023; 6:e41549.

PMID: 38147371 PMC: 10777278. DOI: 10.2196/41549.

Leveraging Mobile-Based Sensors for Clinical Research to Obtain Activity and Health Measures for Disease Monitoring, Prevention, and Treatment.

Dandapani H, Davoodi N, Joerg L, Li M, Strauss D, Fan K Front Digit Health. 2022; 4:893070.

PMID: 35774115 PMC: 9237242. DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.893070.

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