The Effectivness of Smart-Phone Based Meal Time Videoconferencing (SBMTV) Program in Enhancing Elderly Resident’S Health Status in Nursing Home

Our previous research has demonstrated that providing desktop-based videoconferencing to nursing home residents effectively reduces depression and loneliness amongst Taiwanese nursing home residents. However, the participant rate is low and that the use of videoconferencing decreases over time. This proposal, therefore, modifies our research based on the previous research done. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of Smartphone-based meal time videoconferencing (SBMTV) programs on elderly people’s health in nursing home, through a multi-methodological research approach. In the first year, a qualitative research design will be carried out to understand the perceptions of residents and their family members on their mealtime experiences. Verbatim transcripts of audio-taped interviews will be analyzed using thematic analysis. During the second year, the effects of the 3month Smartphone-based videoconferencing (SBV) Program on the health of elderly residents (health, social support and nutrition) and trajectory of usage change over time (baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months) will first be validated. Based on the first and second year data, a longitudinal quasi-experimental study will then be carried out in order to understand the effects of the Smartphone-based Meal Time Videoconferencing (SBMTV) program on the health of elderly residents and trajectory of usage change over time (baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months) in the third year. Participants in the intervention (SBMTV) group will undergo meal time videoconferencing while participants in the control group will receive only regular nursing home care. The variables will include health status (GDS, loneliness and SF-36), trajectory of adherence, nutrition and social support. The sample size of each group will be 30. Generalized estimated equations (GEE) analysis will be used to understand the long-term effects of each variable. The research findings can serve as guidelines for the development of intervention programs targeting the health of high-risk populations in Taiwan.

Project ID:PC10501-2037
External Project ID:MOST104-2314-B182-034-MY3