About this Research Topic
Aging is a process that naturally involves a general reduction in physical, sensory, and mental abilities, sometimes reaching pathology. Older individuals are more vulnerable to morbidity and multimorbidity, and this situation might link with disability. Besides the medical conditions, the most common age-related pathological conditions are mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
It is easy to understand that among the elderly, an increasing percentage of individuals require multidisciplinary care and monitoring.
To this purpose, several and different technological devices have been recently developed, reflecting the commitment to advancing the field, such as head-mounted displays, robotic arms, brain-computer interface machines, etc.
One important, and sometimes ignored, related aspect is the evaluation of the use and accessibility of these assistive technologies for elderly patients.
Usability is an important factor because it is connected to both the acceptance of the device, and to the adherence to the treatment recommended/requested/ advised with that specific device.
It is important to define the most suitable methodology for evaluating usability, and the criteria for maximizing it, in the elderly. It is also important to stress that older people represent a particular sample of patients, as they are generally less familiar and used to technology.
Several studies have analyzed the use and outcome of multiple devices in the last years, although little attention was dedicated to analyzing the outcomes, specific to the elderly, aged groups, and individuals with specific needs requiring complex assistance.
In addition, it is rare that technological research outcomes are transferred and reflected into practice.
This Research Topic aims to collect research articles focusing on the analysis of the practical and theoretical aspects of multiple device use and outcomes in elderly patients. It would be possible to analyzed direct outcomes like UX tests or the compliance at the treatments, and indirect outcomes like cognitive or psychological status or physical or behavior indicators. We specifically encourage experimental and non-experimental evidence on the methodology to assess usability for the application of assistive technologies in old individuals. We welcome evidence and contributions, analyzing the following, but not limited to, assistive technologies:
• Virtual and augmented reality systems for clinical settings – rehabilitation and neurologic patients
• Assistive technologies for cognitive neuroscience
• Development of Innovative rehabilitation tools
• Assistive technologies and robotics
• Remote Monitoring for elderly and remote rehabilitation
• ICT for elderly
It is easy to understand that among the elderly, an increasing percentage of individuals require multidisciplinary care and monitoring.
To this purpose, several and different technological devices have been recently developed, reflecting the commitment to advancing the field, such as head-mounted displays, robotic arms, brain-computer interface machines, etc.
One important, and sometimes ignored, related aspect is the evaluation of the use and accessibility of these assistive technologies for elderly patients.
Usability is an important factor because it is connected to both the acceptance of the device, and to the adherence to the treatment recommended/requested/ advised with that specific device.
It is important to define the most suitable methodology for evaluating usability, and the criteria for maximizing it, in the elderly. It is also important to stress that older people represent a particular sample of patients, as they are generally less familiar and used to technology.
Several studies have analyzed the use and outcome of multiple devices in the last years, although little attention was dedicated to analyzing the outcomes, specific to the elderly, aged groups, and individuals with specific needs requiring complex assistance.
In addition, it is rare that technological research outcomes are transferred and reflected into practice.
This Research Topic aims to collect research articles focusing on the analysis of the practical and theoretical aspects of multiple device use and outcomes in elderly patients. It would be possible to analyzed direct outcomes like UX tests or the compliance at the treatments, and indirect outcomes like cognitive or psychological status or physical or behavior indicators. We specifically encourage experimental and non-experimental evidence on the methodology to assess usability for the application of assistive technologies in old individuals. We welcome evidence and contributions, analyzing the following, but not limited to, assistive technologies:
• Virtual and augmented reality systems for clinical settings – rehabilitation and neurologic patients
• Assistive technologies for cognitive neuroscience
• Development of Innovative rehabilitation tools
• Assistive technologies and robotics
• Remote Monitoring for elderly and remote rehabilitation
• ICT for elderly
Keywords: Usability, Elderly, Technology, ICT, Methodology, Assistive Technologies, Extended Reality, UX
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
