Current Projects (Selected List)
Use of GuardIO, a health Canada-licensed mobile application, and machine learning to describe mobility patterns of persons living with Dementia
Funder: AGE-WELL Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE). 2023 Catalyst Funding Program in Healthy Aging
Principal investigator: Dr. Lili Liu (University of Waterloo)
Co-Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)
PEAR lab research theme: Design and development of information and communication technologies-based platforms and use of data analytics.
The goal of this project is to examine the acceptance and usability of GuardIO - Family Care, mobile application. It supports persons with cognitive impairment and their care partners to develop risk mitigation strategies through understanding the patterns of their mobility by leveraging a cloud-based telematics platform licensed by Health Canada. This enables the care partners to receive timely care and support. This Health Canada-licensed app is developed by WeTraq and available on app stores and SunLife Lumino Health marketplace. It combines GPS and WiFi to provide real-time location monitoring and safety alerts. It does not require an additional device other than one’s personal smartphone. We will use machine learning-driven analytics to describe mobility patterns of participants with dementia and without dementia (care partners). This information can be used to identify changes in mobility to inform decisions about personalized care and support services. Increasing prevalence of dementia in Canada calls for strategies like GuardIO to address risks of getting lost and going missing, while supporting the health and wellbeing of persons aging in place.
Project aims:
Determine the acceptance and usability of the GuardIO mobile application among people living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their care partners
Evaluate the ability of GuardIO data loggers to distinguish older adults with dementia from care partners without dementia using machine learning analyses.
Managing risks of going missing among persons living with dementia by building capacities of search and rescue personnel, first responders, and communities
Funder: Public Safety Canada
Principal investigator: Dr. Lili Liu (University of Waterloo)
Co-investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)
PEAR lab research theme: Design and development of information and communication technologies-based platforms and use of data analytics.
The wandering of persons living with dementia and becoming lost is a significant concern among first responders and care partners. It is associated with injury, long-term care placement, and death. Databases on missing incidents involving people living with dementia are managed in silos with minimal or incomplete data. A national strategy for the collection of data on missing incidents of people living with dementia would optimize the time and resources spent on police as well as search and rescue while enhancing the chances of saving lives. Such a strategy would be a first step toward developing strategies to prevent future missing persons.
Project aims:
To implement and evaluate a rapid response protocol for first responders in seven Canadian provinces.
To implement and evaluate toolkits for communities.
To implement and evaluate a guideline for return home interviews to prevent missing incidents.
To determine the risk factors that affect missing incidents specific to persons living with dementia.
A brief scale to assess the usability of technologies used to locate missing individuals
Funder: AGE-WELL Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)
Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)
PEAR lab research theme: Acceptance, adoption, and usability of rehabilitation, digital and healthcare technologies.
Despite the potential of locator devices to mitigate the risk of getting lost among persons living with dementia, no standardized approach exists to assess their acceptance and usability. The development of technology acceptance and usability questionnaires have the potential to help persons living with dementia and their care partners make informed decisions when adopting a locator device to mitigate the risk of getting lost.
Project aims:
To develop and validate a usability scale for technologies, specifically, locator devices.
Feasibility of high-accuracy indoor positioning and smart home technologies for assessing and monitoring older adults
Funder: Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) Spark Program
Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)
Co-investigators: Dr. Adriana Maria Rios Rincon (University of Alberta), Dr. Andrew Chan (GRRIT-Glenrose Hospital), Geoffrey Gregson (GGRIT-Glenrose Hospital)
PEAR lab research theme: Design and development of information and communication technologies-based platforms and use of data analytics.
Frailty screening today is conducted on a non-routine basis in primary care or clinical settings; as a result, “hidden health vulnerabilities” cannot be identified early enough and, therefore, frailty prevention is not possible. This solution is a non-camera-based tracking technology with sensors and smart biomechanical devices embedded in older adults’ daily activities at home (thus preserving autonomy and privacy. It generates meaningful frailty data for older adults, caregivers, and the healthcare system. In addition, it is based on the concept of Zero Effort Technologies, so frail older adults do not need to develop new skills to use this monitoring system to manage frailty.
Project aims:
To design, develop, and validate a high-accuracy in-home monitoring system to manage (i.e., measure and monitor) frailty in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia
To explore potential use-cases alongside frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and caregivers
To understand older adults’ attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions toward using this system.
Development of a robotic toy for children with and without disabilities
Funder: Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation, and Technology Hub - Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)
Co-investigators: Dr. Adriana Maria Rios Rincon (University of Alberta)
PEAR lab research theme: Design and development of information and communication technologies-based platforms and use of data analytics.
The literature on play consistently asserts that play is critical for children’s development. Play is an ideal way for all children to discover the world and learn through practice with different objects and experiences. The literature in the field of rehabilitation is consistent regarding children with disabilities having difficulties engaging in play. Robots showed the potential to enhance engagement in the free play of children with disabilities. However, available robots are either too expensive or they are commercially available robots which have to be adapted or specially programmed to be used for or by children with disabilities. The challenge consists in developing affordable robots that allow children with severe motor impairment to interact with and perform the activities they want to do.
Project aims:
To equip the robotic toy with sensors in order to implement the hide and seek and tag games;
To develop a special remote control as the interface to be used for children with disabilities;
To develop an Android-based app for parents, teachers, or therapists to set up the robot features (e.g., distance, rotation angles, remote control selection method etc.), activities and games