This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted during the second phase of a European project funded by Horizon 2020 (grant agreement No. 876487), which involved testing wearable and ambient sensors during daily living activities in a living-lab environment at the Lleida Biomedical Research Institute facilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants who had mild cognitive impairment and twelve family members, exploring experiences with the sensor system, perceptions of usability and privacy, and views on potential integration into home settings. Thematic saturation was reached during the analysis using Malterud’s Systematic Text Condensation.
Results revealed limited digital confidence among participants, who often relied on family support for technology use. Privacy concerns were present but often balanced by perceived health benefits and trust in healthcare oversight. Participants described sensors as comfortable and minimally intrusive. The system was primarily viewed as helpful in emergencies, but less so as a proactive preventive tool. Opinions on health data management diverged, with some participants wanting direct access and control, while others preferred healthcare professionals to handle this responsibility. Participants were optimistic about future adoption but highlighted the need for clear communication and ongoing education.
These insights are currently informing an ongoing European project funded under the Horizon Europe programme (grant agreement No. 101139769), which builds upon the initial project to develop further distributed multi-sensor technologies tailored to the needs and expectations of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and their families.

Authors:
Carlos Tersa-Miralles, University of Lleida, Spain
Filip Bellon, University of Lleida, Spain
Pere Bosch-Barceló, University of Lleida, Spain
Helena Fernández-Lago, University of Lleida, Spain
Minerva Granado-Casas, University of Lleida, Spain
Alexandra Krassikova, Lleida Biomedical Research Institute’s Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Spain

About the Presenter(s)
Assistant Professor at the University of Lleida, PhD in Health Sciences, physiotherapist. My research focuses on two lines: occupational health, and digital and assisted living technologies for older adults with MCI and Parkinson’s disease.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carles-tersa-miralles-6bb12513b/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carlos-Tersa-Miralles

Additional website of interest
https://www.instagram.com/oficina.activa/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

Bookmark