This page was translated automatically from Turkish. Read the original

This page is an AI-assisted Turkish summary of the study presented at the 26th World Congress of Psychiatry. The study belongs to the presenting authors; please refer to the original source when citing it.

EV0950

User perspectives on a wearable device for predicting and detecting behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia early

USER PERSPECTIVES ON A WEARABLE TOOL FOR PREDICTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA

Most family members and healthcare professionals are interested in a wearable device that predicts agitation and aggression in dementia, viewing it as a tool that supports care rather than replaces it.

The study examined the perceived requirements, acceptability, and preferred features of a device for predicting and detecting psychomotor agitation and aggression in dementia (PAAD) early, from the perspectives of family/whānau members and healthcare professionals (HCPs). The qualitative study, conducted between November 2024 and May 2025, included 27 participants: 19 family/whānau members and 8 healthcare professionals (3 managers and 5 caregivers, with more than 10 years of experience). Data were collected through an online focus group with healthcare professionals and an in-person Māori hui with family/whānau members, and deductive thematic analysis was performed using a predefined codebook. Participants reported that episodes were unpredictable, could occur at any time, and caused distress, anxiety/depression, increased workload, and safety concerns; they noted that current management was reactive, relying on distraction, music and light therapy, calming strategies, and medication. Interest in acquiring such a device was 73.7% (14/19) among family/whānau members and 62.5% (5/8) among healthcare professionals. Preferred features included an unobtrusive, wrist-worn, watch- or bracelet-like design, long battery life and easy charging, washability and low maintenance, and integration into daily care routines without disruption. Participants viewed the device not as a replacement for caregiving, but as a supportive tool embedded within care that would enable earlier and safer responses.

All WCP 2026 summaries