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- Bradwell, Hannah Louise, et al.
(author)
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Staff perceptions towards virtual reality-motivated treadmill exercise for care home residents: a qualitative feedback study with key stakeholders and follow-up interview with technology developer
- 2023
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In: BMJ Open. - 2044-6055. ; 13:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Health and care resources are under increasing pressure, partly due to the ageing population. Physical activity supports healthy ageing, but motivating exercise is challenging. We aimed to explore staff perceptions towards a virtual reality (VR) omnidirectional treadmill (MOTUS), aimed at increasing physical activity for older adult care home residents. Design Interactive workshops and qualitative evaluation. Settings Eight interactive workshops were held at six care homes and two university sites across Cornwall, England, from September to November 2021. Participants Forty-four staff participated, including care home, supported living, clinical care and compliance managers, carers, activity coordinators, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Interventions Participants tried the VR treadmill system, followed by focus groups exploring device design, potential usefulness or barriers for care home residents. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. We subsequently conducted a follow-up interview with the technology developer (September 2022) to explore the feedback impact. Results The analysis produced seven key themes: anticipated benefits, acceptability, concerns of use, concerns of negative effects, suitability/unsuitability, improvements and current design. Participants were generally positive towards VR to motivate care home residents' physical activity and noted several potential benefits (increased exercise, stimulation, social interaction and rehabilitation). Despite the reported potential, staff had safety concerns for frail older residents due to their standing position. Participants suggested design improvements to enhance safety, usability and accessibility. Feedback to the designers resulted in the development of a new seated VR treadmill to address concerns about falls while maintaining motivation to exercise. The follow-up developer interview identified significant value in academia-industry collaboration. Conclusion The use of VR-motivated exercise holds the potential to increase exercise, encourage reminiscence and promote meaningful activity for care home residents. Staff concerns resulted in a redesigned seated treadmill for those too frail to use the standing version. This novel study demonstrates the importance of stakeholder feedback in product design.
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| 3. |
- Haynes, Katharine, et al.
(author)
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Adaptation lessons from Cyclone Tracy part II : Institutional response and Indigenous experiences of Cyclone Tracy
- 2011
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Reports (peer-reviewed)abstract
- At the time of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, Darwin's population included a substantial number of both permanent and transitory Aboriginal people (members of the Larrakia people and the Stolen Generation). This retrospective study collated the experiences of 37 people (23 Indigenous, 14 key government officials). In general, Indigenous people did not appear to have been treated substantially differently from non-Indigenous people in terms of evacuation procedures, health care or resettlement. Some Indigenous study participants discussed how they had been aware of traditional knowledge, but due to their cultural heritage being mixed with a more contemporary Australian education they had not taken the Indigenous early warnings seriously. The interviews revealed that in many ways, Indigenous people considered that they were better better able to cope and recover from the disaster than non-Indigenous people, as they were often more self sufficient than their non-Indigenous neighbours. Their resilience came from not being as reliant on material possessions, their ability to rely on the land for food, and the many family connections and people whom they could get help from. This research has demonstrated that much of the Indigenous population living in Darwin is fairly urbanised and although they retain Indigenous cultural heritage, they are able to work with standard Australian emergency management warnings and procedures. The exception to this is the transient, itinerant Indigenous people and those living in rural areas outside of Darwin who may be without shelter and connection to communities. There is a need for emergency management protocols to also consider the particular vulnerability of such transient itinerant individuals.
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