INTRODUÇÃO: a Doença de Alzheimer (DA) cursa com declínio cognitivo e funcional, e alterações comportamentais, porém poucos estudos relatam a correlação existente entre o declínio motor, considerando o equilíbrio especificamente, e a implicação na capacidade funcional e na ocorrência de quedas nesta população. OBJETIVOS: como objetivo principal, verificar a correlação entre o equilíbrio e a capacidade funcional, e secundariamente, verificar a correlação destas variáveis com a ocorrência de quedas. MÉTODOS: trata-se de um estudo transversal em que 40 idosos sem comprometimento cognitivo e 48 idosos com DA (25 em fase leve e 23 em fase moderada), com idade superior a 65 anos, de ambos os sexos, foram avaliados pela escala Berg Balance Scale (BBS) quanto ao equilíbrio, pela escala Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) quanto à capacidade funcional, e questionados quanto à ocorrência de quedas no último ano. Outros fatores que pudessem interferir no equilíbrio e na capacidade de realizar atividades funcionais foram controlados, como presença de déficit visual, de depressão e utilização de medicamentos associados a quedas. RESULTADOS: foi observada diferença no desempenho do equilíbrio dos idosos com DA mais acentuada na fase moderada da doença (p = 0,001), assim como um declínio da capacidade funcional, progressivo e proporcional à fase da doença. Quanto às quedas, os idosos com DA tenderam a cair mais que os controles, não havendo, porém, diferença estatisticamente significante entre eles (controles: 45%, DA: 50%). Não foi observada diferença no desempenho do equilíbrio e da capacidade funcional comparando-se os indivíduos que caíram (\"caidores\") e não caíram (\"não-caidores\") em função do estágio da doença. Considerando a amostra dos controles, foi encontrada correlação moderada (-0,640, p < 0,001) entre número de quedas e pontuação na DAD, e fraca (-0,383, p = 0,015) entre o número de quedas e equilíbrio. No grupo CDR 1 a correlação obtida ocorreu apenas entre o DAD realização efetiva e o equilíbrio (-0,474, p = 0,017), e no grupo CDR 2 foi encontrada uma correlação moderada entre a ocorrência de quedas e o equilíbrio (-0,613, p = 0,045). CONCLUSÃO: Os dados deste estudo sugerem que há um declínio do equilíbrio associado à Doença de Alzheimer, que é proporcional à evolução clínica da doença, sendo um dos fatores, mas não o mais importante, associados à ocorrência de quedas nesta população. O declínio da capacidade funcional está associado à evolução da doença, porém não associado a maior ocorrência de quedas. Por fim, o déficit de equilíbrio isoladamente não foi suficiente para determinar o declínio funcional nos idosos com DA. / INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer\'s Disease (AD) causes cognitive and functional decline and behavioral alterations. Few studies however, show the correlation between motor function loss, more specifically balance, and its effects in the functional ability and the occurrence of falls in this population. OBJECTIVES: to identify the correlation between balance and functional ability and to verify the correlation between these two variables with the occurrence of falls. METHODS: a transversal study of 40 subjects without cognitive impairment (control group) and 48 AD patients (25 in the mild stage and 23 in the moderate stage) with more than 65 years, of both sexes. Subjects were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) scale for functional ability. Subjects also answered a questionnaire about fall occurrence in the last one-year period. Other factors that may have influenced balance and functional ability and may be associated with falls such as visual impairment, depression and the use of medication were taken into account. RESULTS: Subjects with moderate AD showed a significant difference in balance (p = 0.001) as well as low functional ability, which is progressive and proportional to the stage of the disease. In relation to falls, AD subjects had a greater tendency to fall than the control group, however this difference was not statistically significant (control group 45%, AD group 50%). There was no difference in the balance and functional ability when comparing \'fallers\' with \'non-fallers\'. Considering the control group, there was a moderate correlation (-0.640, p < 0,001) between number of falls and the DAD score, and mild correlation between falls and balance (-0.383, p = 0.015). In the CDR 1 group, it was found correlation only between DAD (effective performance item) and balance (-0.474, p = 0.017) and in the CDR 2 group, it was observed a moderate correlation between falls and balance (-0.613, p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: our findings suggest that there is a decline of balance related to AD that is proportional to the clinical progression of the disease and it is a factor, albeit not the most relevant factor associated to the occurrence of falls in the AD population. The loss of functional ability is associated with the disease\'s progress but not to a higher occurrence of falls. Finally the deficit of balance, itself, was not enough to determine a functional decline in subjects with AD.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos de amostras de pacientes com lesões vasculares em território comum ao irrigado pela Artéria Basilar, mas não especificamente causados por sua oclusão, encontram como principais achados cognitivos os prejuízos de memória, percepção, atenção e função executiva. Entretanto, não há estudos, até o momento, que tenham investigado as alterações cognitivas decorrentes de oclusão da artéria basilar. O objetivo deste trabalho, portanto, foi: 1) caracterizar uma amostra de pacientes após o Acidente Vascular Encefálico isquêmico em território da artéria basilar; 2) delinear seu perfil cognitivo e funcional; 3) correlacionar os resultados dos testes cognitivos com variáveis demográficas, clínicas e radiológicas. MÉTODOS: Foram recrutados 28 pacientes adultos (0 a 25 anos de educação), com infarto em território de Artéria Basilar que não apresentavam outra patologia neurológica ou psiquiátrica. Paralelamente, foram recrutados 27 sujeitos saudáveis controlados em idade e escolaridade ao grupo de pacientes. Todos foram submetidos a uma abrangente avaliação neuropsicológica que incluiu testes para eficiência intelectual, memória de curto e longo prazo, linguagem, funções executivas, atenção, habilidades visuoperceptivas e espaciais, e escalas de funcionalidade e de humor. As informações clínicas e sociodemográficas foram obtidas junto aos familiares dos pacientes e nos prontuários médicos. Um experiente neurorradiologista analisou as imagens. Foram conduzidas análises estatísticas descritivas, correlações de Spearman ou Pearson, comparações entre grupo com Mann-Whitney ou T-Student, análises de covariância (ANCOVA) e de regressão linear multivariada. RESULTADOS: A média de fator de risco para os pacientes foi de 4,64 (1,52). As lesões acometeram, principalmente, o cerebelo (71%) e o tronco encefálico (68%), e 70% dos pacientes apresentaram alterações de substância branca dentro do esperado para a idade. Na comparação entre pacientes e controles, verificou-se diferença significativa em Memória de Longo Prazo (p <= 0,001), Funções Executivas (p = 0,003), Percepção (p = 0,001), Velocidade de Processamento (p <= 0,001) e Atenção (p <= 0,001), com resultados piores para o grupo de pacientes. Esta diferença significativa não se manteve após análise de covariância utilizando como variável controle a velocidade de processamento de informações. Cinco (18%) dos pacientes apresentaram dependência funcional segundo as escalas de funcionalidade. Lesão em tálamo estava associada a déficits de Memória de Longo Prazo (p= 0,004), Funções Executivas (p = 0,030), Percepção (p = 0,007) e Atenção (p = 0,026). O humor, o tempo de doença, a quantidade de fatores de risco, a extensão da estenose, a presença de lesões de substância branca ou de múltiplos Acidentes Vasculares Encefálicos não impactaram na cognição. CONCLUSÕES: As características demográficas, clínicas e radiológicas da amostra estudada foram semelhantes às descritas na literatura. O perfil cognitivo após isquemia de artéria basilar foi caracterizado por prejuízos de velocidade de processamento de informações, memória de longo prazo, atenção, função executiva e percepção. Apesar do referido prognóstico desfavorável, os pacientes com história de oclusão da artéria basilar apresentaram longa sobrevida e funcionalidade atual satisfatória. Foi evidente apenas a relação entre a presença de lesão em tálamo e déficits de percepção, atenção, memória de longo prazo e funções executivas / INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairments of memory, perception, attention, and executive function are the main problems found in patient samples with vascular lesions in similar regions to those irrigated by the basilar artery, but not specifically caused by its occlusion. However, no studies have yet investigated the cognitive changes caused by basilar artery occlusion.The aims of this study, therefore, were: 1) to characterize a sample of patients after ischemic cerebrovascular accident in the basilar artery territory; 2) to outline their cognitive and functional profiles; and 3) to correlate the results of cognitive tests with demographic, clinical, and radiological variables. METHODS: Altogether, 28 adult patients (with 0-25 years of education), who had an infarction in the basilar artery territory but no other neurological or psychiatric disorders, were recruited for this study. In parallel, 27 healthy subjects who were matched in age and education to the patients were also recruited as controls. All patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment that included tests for intellectual efficiency, short- and long-term memory, language, executive function, attention, visual perception and spatial skills, and functionality scales and mood. Clinical and sociodemographic information was obtained from the patients\' relatives and medical records. An experienced neuroradiologist reviewed the images. Descriptive statistical analyses, Spearman or Pearson correlations, comparisons between groups with Mann-Whitney U-test or Student\'s t-test, covariance analysis (ANCOVA), and multivariate linear regression were conducted. RESULTS: Patients presented on average 4.64 (1.52) risk factors. The most affected areas were the cerebellum (71%) and the brainstem (68%), and 70% of patients had white matter changes as expected for their ages. There was a significant difference in long-term memory (p <= 0.001), executive functions (p = 0.003), perception (p = 0.001), processing speed (p <= 0.001), and attention (p <= 0.001), when comparing patients and controls, with worse results for the patients. This significant difference was not maintained after an analysis of covariance, in which information processing speed was used as a control variable. Five (18%) patients showed dependence, according to the functionality scales. The presence of lesions in the thalamus was significantly related to deficits in long-term memory (p = 0.004), executive functions (p = 0.030), perception (p = 0.007), and attention (p = 0.026).Mood, disease duration, risk factor quantity, stenosis extent, and presence of white matter lesions or multiple cerebrovascular accidents had no impact on cognition. CONCLUSIONS: The sample\'s demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics were similar to those that were previously described in the literature. Cognitive profiles following basilar artery ischemia was characterized by deficits in attention, processing speed, long-term memory, perception, and executive functions. Although previous studies have revealed poor prognosis, the patients had longer survival and more satisfying current functionality. Only the relationship between the lesion in the thalamus and the deficits in long-term memory, executive functions, perception, and attention was evident

Orientador: Mônica Sanches Yassuda / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T00:34:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arroyo_NataliaCosta_M.pdf: 1902872 bytes, checksum: 5408a7c634beba4926a09b390cc2314a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A funcionalidade é um novo paradigma de saúde entre os idosos. As atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD) representam um importante indicador de saúde, visto que são as primeiras atividades a serem comprometidas na presença de comprometimento cognitivo e são essenciais para a manutenção do idoso no seu contexto social. Assim, este trabalho tem por objetivo identificar dentre as variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde autorrelatadas e indicadores de fragilidade, quais fatores são independente e conjuntamente associados às dificuldades observadas na realização das AIVD. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter transversal, conduzido com 2282 idosos que participaram da pesquisa "Estudo da fragilidade em idosos brasileiros", desenvolvida pela Rede FIBRA - Fragilidade em idosos brasileiros, pólo UNICAMP. As AIVDs foram avaliadas pela Escala de Lawton e a síndrome da fragilidade foi identificada pelos critérios propostos por Fried et al. (2001). Verificou-se que cerca de 38% da amostra apresentou dependência para pelo menos uma AIVD. Análises de regressão multivariada indicaram que os fatores mais fortemente associados à dificuldade nestas atividades foram ser frágil ou pré frágil, ter 80 anos ou mais, ter renda familiar de 0 a 3 salários mínimos e apresentar sintomas depressivos. Conclui-se que a melhora das condições de saúde dos idosos brasileiros está intimamente relacionada à melhora das condições socioeconômicas, à diminuição das condições associadas à fragilidade e à melhora em saúde mental. O desenvolvimento de medidas preventivas à síndrome da fragilidade e de programas terapêuticos para a prevenção de sintomatologia depressiva faz parte da atenção integral à pessoa idosa / Abstract: Functionality is a new health paradigm among the elderly. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are an important indicator of health, as they are the first activities to be impaired in the presence of cognitive impairment and they are essential for the maintenance of the elderly in their social context. Thus, this study aimed to identify among sociodemographic variables, self-reported health indicators and markers of frailty, which factors are independently and jointly associated with perceived difficulties in performing IADL. This was a cross sectional study, conducted with 2282 seniors who participated in the study "Study of frailty among elderly Brazilians," developed by the FIBRA network, at UNICAMP. IADLs were assessed by the Lawton scale and the frailty syndrome was identified by the criteria proposed by Fried et al. (2001). Multivariate regression analyzes indicated that about 38% of participants showed limitations in at least one IADL. The factors most strongly associated with difficulty in these activities were being frail or pre frail, being 80 years or older, having a family income of 0 to 3 minimum wages and depressive symptoms. We concluded that the improvement of the health conditions of older Brazilians is closely related to the improvement of socioeconomic conditions, the reduction of conditions associated with frailty and improvement in the mental health of seniors. The development of preventive measures for the frailty syndrome and therapeutic programs for the prevention of depressive symptoms should be part of the comprehensive care of the elderly / Mestrado / Gerontologia / Mestra em Gerontologia

Bakgrund: Bensår är ett tillstånd som blir allt vanligare i Sverige, ökar i takt med hög ålder och definieras som sår som inte läkt inom sex veckor. Att leva med en kronisk hudsjukdom innebär att anpassningar i det dagliga livet måste ske. Syfte: Syftet med föreliggande studie var att beskriva hur personer med bensår upplever sin vardag samt att beskriva vilka undersökningsgrupper som ingick i de inkluderade artiklarna. Metod: En beskrivande litteraturstudie som inkluderade tio stycken vetenskapliga artiklar som söktes fram i databaserna Cinahl och PubMed. Huvudresultat: Bensår påverkade personernas liv fysiskt, psykiskt och socialt. Stora faktorer som bidrog till begränsningar i det dagliga livet var förekomsten av smärta, depression samt rädsla för att utöva fysisk aktivitet. Kontakten med vården var en stor del av vardagen, där personerna upplevde att vården tog upp mycket tid och personerna upplevde även att sjuksköterskorna hade för lite kunskap avseende deras sjukdom och lidande. I artiklarna som utgör resultatet var det mellan 5-1824 deltagare, de flesta deltagarna var kvinnor, åldersspannet var mellan 18 - 104 år, det var främst venösa bensår som förekom och deltagarna hade haft sina bensår mellan 6 veckor - 43 år. Slutsatser: Att leva med ett bensår skapade begränsningar i det dagliga livet och smärta, depression samt rädsla för att utöva fysiskt aktivitet förekom. Det är viktigt som sjuksköterska att uppmärksamma denna patientgrupp för att ge ett professionellt bemötande och en god omvårdnad. / Background: A Leg ulcer is a condition that is becoming more common in Sweden with higher age. Leg ulcers are defined as wounds that are not healed within six weeks. Living with a chronic skin disease means that adaptions in daily life must happen. Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe how people with leg ulcers experience their daily life and to describe which study groups are applied in the included articles. Method: A descriptive literature study that includes ten scientific articles which were searched in the databases Cinahl and PubMed. Main result: Leg ulcer affected people's lives physically, psychologically and socially. Major factors that contributed to daily life limitations where the presence of pain, depression and fear of performing physical activity. The contact with healthcare was a major part of everyday life, were the persons perceived that care took up a lot of time and the persons also found that the nurses had little knowledge about their illness and suffering. In the articles that represented the result there were between 5-1824 participants, most of the participants were women, the age range was between 18-104 years, it was mainly venous leg ulcers that occurred and the participants have had leg ulcer between 6 weeks - 43 years. Conclusion: Living with a leg ulcer created limitation in daily life as a result of pain, depression and fear of performing physical activity. As a nurse it is very important to pay attention to this patient group to provide professional treatment and good care.

Background: Subjective Memory Concerns (SMC) in seniors can be one of the earliest indicators of future dementia. There is a lack of research into the nature of these concerns and functional impairments. Methods: This retrospective secondary analysis gathered data from 67 healthy seniors aged 65+ using neuropsychological tests, memory concern questionnaires and daily functioning scales. Informants corroborated memory concerns and daily functioning. Participants comprised two groups: SMC if worried about their memory and Not Concerned about Memory if not. Results: People with SMC report more difficulty with word finding, remembering appointments, learning to use new equipment, and remembering details of social and personal events. Informants perceive word finding difficulties and minor problems with vocational abilities and bowel/bladder control in SMC participants. Conclusions: The SMC group primarily reports social difficulties. Further research is required to create a comprehensive list of cognitive concerns, which will ultimately improve care of the SMC population. Contexte: Les préoccupations subjectives de mémoire (PSM) chez les aînés peuvent être indicatives d’une démence future, bien qu’il existe un manque d’information sur les préoccupations et l’effet fonctionnel. Méthodes: Une analyse rétrospective secondaire de questionnaires de mémoire, de tests neuropsychologiques, et d’échelles fonctionnelles a été entreprise auprès de 67 personnes, en bonne santé, âgées de 65 ans et plus. Les aidants naturels ont pu appuyer les préoccupations cognitives et le niveau de fonctionnement chez deux groupes de participants: ceux avec préoccupations ou non. Résultats: Les participants PSM relèvent des difficultés de manque du mot, de rappel (rendez-vous, événements sociaux), et d’utilisation de nouveaux équipements. Les aidants naturels ont aussi trouvé de légères difficultés au travail et au niveau du contrôle intestinal et urinaire. Conclusions: Les PSM identifient principalement des lacunes au niveau social. Les recherches devront viser l’identification d’une liste exhaustive des préoccupations afin de pouvoir octroyer de meilleurs soins.

Orientador: Mônica Sanches Yassuda / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T17:29:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sposito_Giovana_D.pdf: 2581166 bytes, checksum: 5b2db24cb3b900af8525ab613c018eca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar as associações entre o engajamento em atividades avançadas de vida diária (AAVD) e o desempenho cognitivo em idosos da comunidade. Os dados foram extraídos do estudo de base populacional, intitulado Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros (FIBRA-Unicamp). A amostra foi composta por 2.549 idosos sem comprometimento cognitivo sugestivo de demência, sendo 65,71% mulheres, com idade média de 72,32 anos (±5,55) e escolaridade de 4,37 anos (±3,99). Foram coletadas informações sobre características sociodemográficas (gênero, idade, escolaridade e renda familiar) e condições de saúde (número de doenças relatadas e sintomas depressivos). As AAVD autorrelatadas foram agrupadas em físicas, sociais e intelectuais. O desempenho cognitivo foi avaliado pelo Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), considerando a pontuação global e os domínios de orientação, memória, atenção e cálculo, linguagem e praxia construtiva. Os escores médios do MEEM foram significativamente maiores entre os homens, os indivíduos mais jovens e aqueles que tinham maior escolaridade, maior renda, menos doenças relatadas e não apresentavam sintomas depressivos. As análises de regressão linear multivariada e análise de regressão hierárquica realizada em blocos (variáveis sociodemográficas, condições de saúde e AAVD físicas, sociais e intelectuais) mostraram que o engajamento em AAVD intelectuais foram associados positivamente com o escore total do MEEM (p=<0,01, R2=0,014 e p=<0,01, R2=0,013 respectivamente). Em relação aos domínios cognitivos, embora modesta, a análise de regressão multivariada mostrou associação entre as AAVDs intelectuais e os domínios de orientação, atenção/ cálculo, linguagem e praxia construtiva (p=0,017, R2=0,005; p=<0,042, R2=0,008; p=<0,001, R2=0,021 e p=<0,001, R2=0,021 respectivamente). As AAVD sociais se associaram aos domínios de memória (p=0,024, R2=0,002) e linguagem (p=0,023, R2=0.004). Não houve associação entre o engajamento em AAVD físicas e o desempenho cognitivo. Anos de escolaridade e maior renda familiar foram as variáveis que se associaram de forma mais robusta ao escore total do MEEM e seus domínios (com exceção apenas entre renda familiar e memória). Os resultados sugerem que o engajamento em AAVD sociais e intelectuais podem ter um papel protetor no envelhecimento cognitivo e que o engajamento em AAVD pode representar uma estratégia viável para a promoção da saúde mental entre os idosos / Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the engagement in advanced activities of daily living (AADL) and cognitive performance in community-dwelling seniors. The data presented is drawn from the population-based study Frailty Profile of Elderly Brazilians (FIBRA-Unicamp). The sample comprised 2.549 older adults without cognitive impairment suggestive of dementia, and 65.71% females, mean age of 72.32 years (±5.55) and education of 4.37 years (±3.99). Information on sociodemographic characteristics were collected (gender, age, education and family income) and health conditions (number of diseases and depressive symptoms). The self-reported AADL were grouped into physical, social and intellectual. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), considering the global score and guidance fields, memory, attention and calculation, language and constructive praxis. The mean scores of MMEE were significantly higher among men, younger individuals and those who had more education, higher income, less related diseases and had no depressive symptoms. The analysis of multivariate linear regression and hierarchical regression analysis performed in blocks (sociodemographic variables, health and physical, social and intellectual AADL) have shown that engaging in intellectual AADL were positively associated with total MMSE score (p=<0.01, R2=0.014 and p=<0.01, R2=0.013 respectively). Regarding cognitive domains, though modest, multivariate regression analysis showed an association between the intellectual AADL and guidance fields, attention / calculation, language and constructive praxis (p=0.017, R2=0.005; p=<0.042, R2=0.008; p=<0.001, R2=0.021 e p=<0.001, R2=0.021 respectively). Social AADL joined the domains of memory (p=0.024, R2=0.002) e language (p=0,023, R2=0.004). There was no association between engaging in vigorous physical AADL and cognitive performance. Years of education and family income were the variables associated more robustly to the total MMSE score and your domains (except only between family income and memory). The results suggest that engagement in social and intellectual AADL may have a protective role in cognitive aging and engaging in AADL may represent a viable strategy for promoting mental health among the elderly / Doutorado / Gerontologia / Doutora em Gerontologia

Bakgrund: Robotteknik kan komma att ha en betydande roll i att stötta äldre i framtiden genom att ge såväl kognitivt som fysiskt stöd. Flertalet äldre är sköra och i ständigt behov av hjälp med dagliga aktiviteter. Det bör arbetas för att äldre självständigt ska kunna leva och bo under trygga förhållanden. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att belysa äldres uppfattningar av vårdrobotar som kan hjälpa till med aktiviteter i det dagliga livet. Metod: En litteraturstudie genomfördes med inspiration av en innehållsanalys där 11 artiklar med kvantitativ, kvalitativ och mixad metod användes. Resultat: Resultatet presenterades i fem olika kategorier: äldres önskemål av en vårdrobot, att acceptera en vårdrobot, att välja mellan människa och vårdrobot, betydande aspekter vid användandet av en vårdrobot och att få möjligheten att bli mer självständig. Konklusion: Resultatet visade delade uppfattningar av vårdrobotar som skiljde sig beroende på vad som skulle utföras och vilken typ av vårdrobot aktiviteten utfördes med. Det ses av vikt att sjuksköterskor vid möjlig implementering av vårdrobotar låter äldre själva bestämma om önskan att bli vårdad av en människa eller en robot. Ytterligare forskning kring äldres individuella upplevelser krävs. / Background: Technology of robotics can have a significant role in supporting older persons in the future by providing both cognitive and physical support. The majority of elderly are fragile and in constant need of support in daily activities. Efforts should be made to enable the elderly to independently live, stay and be safe. Aim: The aim of the study was to illustrate older persons perceptions of care robotics to assist activities of daily living. Method: A litterature review was conducted including 11 articles where quantitative, qualitative and mixed method was used. Result: The result was presented in five different categories: elderly’s wishes for a care robot, to accept a care robot, to choose between a human and a care robot, significant aspects of using a care robot and to have the opportunity to be more independent. Conclusion: The results showed that older peoples perceptions differed significantly depending on the specific task performed by the care robotic. When implementing care robotics the nursing staff allows the elderly to decide wether to be taken care of by a human or a robot. Further research is needed in order to reveal the individual experiences of the older people.

Background: Functional Assessment (FA) in older adults is an important measure of their health status. FA using Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is a strong predictor of health outcomes, especially as we age. With the development of increasingly-connected health, we have a new opportunity for more robust and improved FA. Objective: The objective of this thesis is to collate and discuss published evidence on FA predictors and how the FA predictors can be collected using the paradigm of Connected Health (CH) architectures through an industrial case study in CHAPTER 5: INDUSTRIAL CASE STUDY. Methods: The method is to do two Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs). The two SLRs were undertaken with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA) and Parsifal, an online tool for SLR. This thesis catalogs various FA and state-of-the-art Software Engineering Architectural Tactics and Styles (SEATS) used within Connected Health (CH) that focus on ADL. The results of the cataloged information were used in the industrial case study where some of the FA predictors were automated. Articles obtained from the data source during the SLRs were filtered based on the titles, abstracts, full-text provision, English language literature, including age, which must be sixty-five years and above. Another reviewer was also included in this study, while all the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria detailed in this thesis were applied. Information about FA via ADL were extracted from the articles with further extraction on the SEATS used for computer-supported FA during the industrial case study. Data Source: During the SLRs processes, database searched included PubMed, EBSCOhost, Engineering Village, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and ScienceDirect. The conducted search contains both controlled terms called Medical Subject Headings(MeSH) such as activities of daily living and search strings such as functional assessment, older adults, geriatrics, seniors, elderly care, and aging. Results: From four hundred and ninety-five initial abstracts and titles, nineteen full-text journal articles were included in the final review for the SLR on FA predictors. Six full-text journal articles were obtained from the SLR on CH architectures after reading its 449 titles and abstracts. In the SLR on FA predictors, predictor metrics for FA via ADL were extracted from each of the articles. Gait speed, sleep quality, and movement activities were assessed as ADL predictor metrics for FA in older adults. Other FA predictors published involved self-reported metric scale measurement using Barthel-20 scale and performance-based scale through Timed-UP and Go test. This thesis reviewed each metric for sleep quality and movement activities. In the SLR on CH architectures, quick response of ADL and resource efficiency such as sensors were some of the major tactics related to performance in Software Engineering (SE) quality in CH, while confidentiality and integrity of FA measures related to security in SE quality in CH was another major concern. Conclusion: Having conducted the two SLRs, a wide range of measures were used for FA in older adults, including consideration on the SEATS used for computer-supported FA. Overall, these FA measures and SEATS provide inexpensive and easy-to-implement FA. The diversity of the FA measures and SEATS contributes towards the development of computer-supported FA. However, future work is needed to consider the result of this study as an open-source computer-supported FA tool, and such tool should also be evaluated and verified through direct examination with older adults. / Graduate

The aim of this master's thesis is to describe the possibilities of interprofessional cooperation of an occupational therapist and a behavioral analyst in selected personal activities of daily living in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With the help of activity analysis the view of both experts was demonstrated resulting in the description of their therapeutic intervention. The theoretical part describes the basic characteristics of ASD including selected personal activities of daily living with which children with ASD may have difficulties. The following chapters are about the basic principles of occupational therapy including the description of activity analysis, which is one of the important evaluation methods in occupational therapy. Furthermore the history and the basic characteristics of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is described focusing on activity analysis used in the ABA program. The next chapter describes the common areas of both professions including shared elements and therapeutic approaches. The last chapter is devoted to the description of the interprofessional cooperation of an occupational therapy and a behavioral analyst. The practical part consists of 3 descriptive case studies in which an occupational therapist and a behavioral analyst performed a task analysis...

The number of annual implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implants has substantially increased over the last 5 years and is expected to grow rapidly. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have a proven mortality benefit by terminating the life-threatening arrhythmias, even near end of life. In patients with moderate/severe symptomatic heart failure, enough clinical literature representing mortality benefits has been published, but limited numbers of studies have reviewed the dwindling risk-benefit profile near end of life, studying quality of life (QoL)/psychosocial impact. Criteria outlining either continued use or deactivation policy/procedures near end of life have not been clearly defined and/or largely implemented, which in turn requires more focused research using multifactorial approach to determine improved patient-centered outcomes.