Healthy active ageing supported by technological environment: the DOREMI experience

Introduction: European population aging requires the design of innovative solutions able to support, in term of quality and time, its health status. DOREMI project has developed an innovative platform able to stimulate and monitor elder people as also to be customized on user requirements. Methods: 34 older people (age 65-80 years) were involved in UK and Italy DOREMI trials (3 months). Subjects were characterized at baseline in terms of physical activity (SPPB, PASE test, daily steps/ meters, 6MWT), hemodynamic and biochemical parameters (blood pressure, HR, lipid profile, glycaemia, etc.), dietary habits (caloric intake) and balance assessment (BERG scale). Through the DOREMI technological platform, users were: stimulated to perform indoor physical activity protocol (exergame on tablet); monitored by DOREMI bracelet (heart rate monitoring); invited to fill diet e-diary, receiving nutritional advice provided by the expert through the same application; tested for balance by item-10 BERG test (DOREMI balance board). At the end of trial, users underwent the same test battery of baseline. Results: In DOREMI population an overall increase in physical activity was observed, with a significant improvement in hemodynamic (decrease in blood pressure and HR at 6MWT) and biochemical parameters (decrease in LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol). The overall effect of dietary advice and physical activity protocol on subject's balance is under investigation. Key conclusions: An integrated approach of physical activity and diet, supported by DOREMI technological platform, represents an innovative approach to stimulate healthy and active ageing of population, with a potential cost-reduction for European health care systems in middle-long period.