Fitbits for monitoring depressive symptoms in older aged persons: Qualitative outcomes of a feasibility study (Preprint)

Mughal, F; Raffe, W; Stubbs, P; Kneebone, I; Garcia, J

Fitbits for monitoring depressive symptoms in older aged persons: Qualitative outcomes of a feasibility study (Preprint)

Mughal, F Raffe, W

Stubbs, P

Kneebone, I

Garcia, J

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Publisher:: JMIR Publications
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: JMIR Formative Research, 2022, 6, (11), pp. e33952-e33952
Issue Date:: 2022-09-30

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mughal, F
dc.contributor.author	Raffe, W https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5310-0943
dc.contributor.author	Stubbs, P https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4555-8019
dc.contributor.author	Kneebone, I https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3324-7264
dc.contributor.author	Garcia, J
dc.date.accessioned	2022-12-01T03:10:56Z
dc.date.available	2022-12-01T03:10:56Z
dc.date.issued	2022-09-30
dc.identifier.citation	JMIR Formative Research, 2022, 6, (11), pp. e33952-e33952
dc.identifier.issn	2561-326X
dc.identifier.issn	2561-326X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163996
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: In 2022, an estimated 1.105 billion people used smart wearables and 31 million used Fitbit devices, worldwide. While there is growing evidence for the use of smart wearables to benefit physical health, more research is required on the feasibility of using these devices for mental health and wellbeing. In studies focusing on emotion recognition, emotions are often inferred and dependent on external cues, which may not be representative of true emotional states. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing consumer-grade activity trackers for applications in remote mental health monitoring of older aged people. METHODS: Older adults were recruited using criterion sampling. Participants were provided an activity tracker (Fitbit Alta HR) and completed weekly online questionnaires, including the Geriatric Depression Scale, for 4 weeks. Before and after the study period semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to provide insight on the acceptance and feasibility of performing the protocol over a 4-week period. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve participants enrolled in the study, and 9 returned for interviews after the study period. Participants had positive attitudes towards being remotely monitored with 78% (7/9) participants experiencing no inconvenience throughout the study period. Sixty-seven percent (6/9) of were interested in trialing our prototype when it is implemented. Participants stated they would feel more comfortable that mental wellbeing was being monitored by carers remotely. CONCLUSIONS: Fitbit-like devices were an unobtrusive and convenient tool to collect physiological user data. Future research should integrate physiological user inputs to differentiate and predict depressive tendencies in users. CLINICALTRIAL:
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	JMIR Publications
dc.relation.ispartof	JMIR Formative Research
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.2196/33952
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Fitbits for monitoring depressive symptoms in older aged persons: Qualitative outcomes of a feasibility study (Preprint)
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6
utslib.location.activity	Canada
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - PERSWADE - Centre on Persuasive Systems for Wise Adaptive Living
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Computer Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Physiotherapy
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Clinical Psychology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-12-01T03:10:55Z
pubs.issue	11
pubs.publication-status	Accepted
pubs.volume	6
utslib.citation.issue	11

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: In 2022, an estimated 1.105 billion people used smart wearables and 31 million used Fitbit devices, worldwide. While there is growing evidence for the use of smart wearables to benefit physical health, more research is required on the feasibility of using these devices for mental health and wellbeing. In studies focusing on emotion recognition, emotions are often inferred and dependent on external cues, which may not be representative of true emotional states. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing consumer-grade activity trackers for applications in remote mental health monitoring of older aged people. METHODS: Older adults were recruited using criterion sampling. Participants were provided an activity tracker (Fitbit Alta HR) and completed weekly online questionnaires, including the Geriatric Depression Scale, for 4 weeks. Before and after the study period semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to provide insight on the acceptance and feasibility of performing the protocol over a 4-week period. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve participants enrolled in the study, and 9 returned for interviews after the study period. Participants had positive attitudes towards being remotely monitored with 78% (7/9) participants experiencing no inconvenience throughout the study period. Sixty-seven percent (6/9) of were interested in trialing our prototype when it is implemented. Participants stated they would feel more comfortable that mental wellbeing was being monitored by carers remotely. CONCLUSIONS: Fitbit-like devices were an unobtrusive and convenient tool to collect physiological user data. Future research should integrate physiological user inputs to differentiate and predict depressive tendencies in users. CLINICALTRIAL:

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163996