Christoph Gisinger

Meeting Requirements of Older Users? Robot Prototype Trials in a Home-like Environment

A prototype of an assistive robot for older people was tested in three different countries in life-like lab settings. A sample of potential older users with different grades and types of age-related impairments completed a sequence of tasks with the robot. Subsequently, usability issues, user acceptance, and their willingness to pay for such a robot affordability were assessed to find out if the robot caters to the needs of the impairment groups. Main results of the data analyses were: ease of use was deemed satisfactory by the majority of participants. Task speed was considered to be rather slow. Additionally, it could be shown that participants were sceptical of buying a robot for their own use, but would be willing to rent one. A significant difference in classifying the robot prototype as helpful for the home was found in participants with mobility impairments compared to participants without mobility impairments.

Continuing education for the prevention of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's-type dementia: A systematic review protocol

BackgroundBecause of the enormous social and economic burden of disease, the prevention of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-type dementia has become a major global public health priority. Studies show that cognitively stimulating activities during middle adulthood might have a protective effect on the brain by boosting the cognitive reserve. The aim of this review is to identify evidence investigating the effects of continuing education for the prevention of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-type dementia in late life.MethodsOur approach employs a two-stage design: First, we will conduct a systematic review to assess the preventive effects of continuing education on mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-type dementia. Second, because we expect to find few studies, we will perform a review of systematic reviews on leisure activities that mimic formal continuing education to determine their effects on the prevention of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-type dementia. We will search electronic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Scopus) for published studies and gray literature databases (e.g., trial registries) for unpublished studies.Two authors will independently screen abstracts and full-texts using pre-defined eligibility criteria, select studies, extract data, and assess the quality of included studies or reviews. Outcomes of interest include the incidence of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s-type dementia, quality of life, functional capacity, and psychological wellbeing. Intermediate outcomes are cognitive (test) performance, cognitive functioning, and social inclusion. The review team is a multidisciplinary group consisting of methodological experts and dementia, geriatrics, and continuing education researchers.DiscussionWe anticipate that our review will highlight serious gaps in the current evidence. Results will build the basis for further research regarding the relation of continuing education and cognitive decline and dementia.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42017063944