What do geriatric rehabilitation patients and experts consider relevant? Requirements for a digitalised e-coach for sustainable improvement of nutrition and physical activity in older adults – a qualitative focus group study

Abstract

Background During geriatric rehabilitation, attempts are made to increase the patients’ health and functional capacity. In order to maintain these improvements in the medium- and long-term, behavioural changes regarding mobility and nutrition are also targeted, but these are often not sustainable. International studies show positive effects on the sustainability of the improvement of physical activity behaviour in healthy seniors through the use of electronic devices and software applications. Comparable approaches that include nutrition topics or combine them and were additionally developed for geriatric rehabilitation patients (≥70 years) to date are not known. The aim of this study was to identify what geriatric rehabilitation patients require from an electronic coaching system (e-coach) to support them in improving their nutritional and physical activity behaviour, and what content and features physiotherapists and dieticians consider relevant. Method Focus group interviews (09–11/2019) were conducted in a geriatric rehabilitation centre in Germany with patients aged 70 years and older, relatives and experts (physiotherapists and nutritionists). The focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results Three focus groups with patients and relatives (n = 17, 65% female, 16 (94%) in age category 70–99 years) and one focus group with experts (2 dieticians and 1 physiotherapist) were conducted. Relevant contents and feedback elements for nutrition and physical activity in old age were identified. The patients’ comments show that an e-coach must offer obvious benefits for the older persons and promote motivation in order to be used. The willingness to change nutrition and physical activity behaviour and the previous experiences in these areas are very heterogeneous, therefore content should be adaptable to different requirements. Conclusion Experts and patients identified quite similar contents, barriers and facilitators for a nutrition and physical activity e-coach. The e-coach needs to be able to address different points of behaviour change, enable adaptations to the individual patient and convince the older person that using it will help them to improve their nutrition and physical activity. It is also important that the e-coach is easy to use and can be easily integrated into the patient’s everyday life after rehabilitation.

Bibliometric Analysis on Geriatric Rehabilitation in Scopus Database (1948-2022)

“…Moreover, to sustain these enhancements in the intermediate and long run, behavioral alterations concerning mobility and nutrition are also emphasized. 12 The present study is the first comprehensive bibliometric study of geriatric rehabilitation. Active countries, active institutions, international research collaboration, prolific authors, and active journals can expand and create new knowledge through text evaluation and presentation.…”

“…Consequently, in geriatric rehabilitation, endeavors should be made to enhance the patients' health and functional abilities. Moreover, to sustain these enhancements in the intermediate and long run, behavioral alterations concerning mobility and nutrition are also emphasized 12…”

Iterative Development and Applicability of a Tablet-Based e-Coach for Older Adults in Rehabilitation Units to Improve Nutrition and Physical Activity: Usability Study

“…These concepts first require an analysis of the context of use and, as a next step, a specification of the use requirements. The context of use was described in a previous study by performing and analyzing focus groups with older adults as well as experts [ 21 ]. In all, 3 focus groups with patients and relatives (10/17, 65% female; 16/17, 94% in a 70- to 99-year–age category) and 1 focus group with experts (2 dieticians and 1 physiotherapist) were held in a geriatric rehabilitation center.…”