Involvement of older people in the development of fall detection systems: a scoping review

F.J.S. Thilo*, B. Hürlimann, S. Hahn, S. Bilger, J.M. Schols, R.J.G. Halfens

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: The involvement of users is recommended in the development of health related technologies, in order to address their needs and preferences and to improve the daily usage of these technologies. The objective of this literature review was to identify the nature and extent of research involving older people in the development of fall detection systems.

Methods: A scoping review according to the framework of Arksey and O'Malley was carried out. A key term search was employed in eight relevant databases. Included articles were summarized using a predetermined charting form and subsequently thematically analysed.

Results: A total of 53 articles was included. In 49 of the 53 articles, older people were involved in the design and/or testing stages, and in 4 of 53 articles, they were involved in the conceptual or market deployment stages. In 38 of the 53 articles, the main focus of the involvement of older people was technical aspects. In 15 of the 53 articles, the perspectives of the elderly related to the fall detection system under development were determined using focus groups, single interviews or questionnaires.

Conclusions: Until presently, involvement of older people in the development of fall detection systems has focused mainly on technical aspects. Little attention has been given to the specific needs and views of older people in the context of fall detection system development and usage.

Original languageEnglish
Article number42
Number of pages9
JournalBMC Geriatrics
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Feb 2016

Keywords

  • Fall detection
  • User-involvement
  • Scoping review
  • Older people
  • MOUNTED TRIAXIAL ACCELEROMETER
  • EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS
  • USER INVOLVEMENT
  • DETECTION ALGORITHM
  • ELDERLY POPULATION
  • PROSPECTIVE COHORT
  • ACCIDENTAL FALLS
  • SENSOR
  • HOME
  • TECHNOLOGIES

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