Project Details
Description
ABSTRACT
The long-term objective of this project is to create a sensor-based monitoring technology for use by caregivers,
clinicians, and individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease related dementia (AD/ADRD)
to mitigate the risk of pressure injuries related to prolonged sitting. Pressure injury prevalence is
disproportionately high in the aging AD/ADRD population due to physiological, cognitive, and mobility changes
that lead to increased sitting time and reduced awareness of risk factors. Impact on the AD/ADRD population is
devastating because it leads to pain that often is untreated, hospital stays which further reduce function,
increase likelihood of needing additional care support, and earlier death than those who do not experience a
pressure injury. This project specifically addresses external risk factors of pressure, shear, movement, and
microclimate at the sitting surface by providing feedback to the caregiver in real-time from a multi-sensing
system embedded in a seat cover. These factors can’t be readily “seen” by the caregiver and apathy may
prevent someone with AD/ADRD from seeking assistance to mitigate a problem, the feedback will increase
caregiver awareness so that they can take action before pressure injuries appear. While sensors exist to detect
moisture or fall risk, none continuously detect and display meaningful data to the caregiver about pressure,
shear, movement or microclimate factors directly between the person and their sitting surface. The goal of this
project is to engage with caregivers of individuals with AD/ADRD and stakeholders who are experts in sensor
technology, pressure injury prevention, and medical device innovation to design an acceptable, usable, and
feasible multi-sensing seat cover and associated software integration. The research design uses mixed
methods and includes the use of a survey, a series of focus groups with caregivers who have had experience
with pressure injuries in the AD/ADRD population, and usability assessments. An expert stakeholder design
review team will meet throughout the project to review user requirements from caregivers and build a
comprehensive set of design requirements. Prototype development of the multi-sensor technology will occur
throughout the project with consideration of caregiver and stakeholder requirement feedback. The resulting
proof-of-concept multi-sensing seat cover and updated user-facing software will undergo initial performance
testing for accuracy, durability, and validity. This project is based on the premise that by providing day-long
meaningful detail about the conditions directly between a person with AD/ADRD and their sitting surface,
caregivers will have access to information that currently does not exist, and they can then take appropriate
therapeutic action to mitigate risks. This system has the potential to reduce pressure injury prevalence
therapeutically through awareness, early detection, and risk mitigation.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 2/15/23 → 1/31/24 |
Funding
- National Institute on Aging: $496,520.00
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