Study shows viability of monitoring chronic disease patients via
interactive TV at home
29 June 2005
Andover, Mass., USA. A pilot study monitoring chronic heart failure
patients at home using a set-top box connected to a TV, broadband, and
wireless devices has found acceptance by patients and medical staff.
The interactive healthcare platform developed by Philips, called Motiva,
uses secure broadband technology to connect patients in the comfort of their
own homes to their care providers to motivate the patients to modify their
behaviour — to follow their doctor's guidelines, eat right and exercise
more. Motiva aims to improve the quality of life for the chronically ill
while helping drive down the costs of managing chronic disease.
"Just as the names suggests, Motiva motivated me to do the right thing,"
said Bobby DiSipio, a patient who participated in the Motiva study. "Through
personal charts and educational videos sent to me on my TV by my nurse, I
learned how to better manage my disease. I weighed myself, took my own blood
pressure, answered daily health questions, and the Motiva system tracked how
well I was doing. With Motiva, it was easy to learn how improving my
lifestyle could help me stay healthier. I'm feeling more in control now."
The 30 chronic heart failure patients enrolled in the US pilot study were
selected by the Cardiovascular Associates of the Delaware Valley (CADV), a
U.S.-based physicians' group, who continued to provide complete
cardiovascular care to their patients during the study. A set-top box that
Philips is developing and wireless measurement devices currently available
from Philips were installed in the patients' homes. Through a secure
broadband connection, the patients had on-demand access through their
television to personalised healthcare information and multimedia videos
about how to better manage their disease. They received a combination of
tailored educational content, timely reminders and positive reinforcement
around personal goals. In addition, patients were able to track their own
vital signs — such as weight, heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure —
using Philips' wireless measurement devices.
Results from the Motiva study included:
- Broad acceptance of using a TV to get personalized healthcare
information by patients;
- Patients found the television interface easy-to-use and helped them
establish an effective daily routine;
- Patients liked getting daily feedback about their vital signs and
educational videos about how to better manage their disease;
- The doctor and nurses felt the system improved their connection with
patients and made them more aware of the patients' health status.
"By interacting with patients on a day-to-day basis, we can be more
proactive; problems can be detected earlier than they might be otherwise,"
said Jeffrey H. Kramer, M.D., fellow of the American College of Cardiology,
principal investigator for Cardiovascular Associates Delaware Valley (CADV).
"Chronic cardiac conditions are manageable, but our challenge is to provide
patients with the tools and knowledge they need to play a more active role.
A patient who is more educated will be more likely to comply with
medications, with dietary and fitness recommendations, and in general, to be
more involved with their care."
Comcast Corporation supported the pilot study by providing a secure IP
data connection that enabled patients participating in the study to
communicate with CADV interactively and receive personalized information
through their home television.
To top
|
|