The first participant in the RADAR-AD tier 3 study was included on the 25th of November 2021 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The tier 3 study is a pioneer study in which participants visit RADAR-AD’s smart home that utilizes remote measurement technologies (RMTs) to detect and capture performance ranging from activities of daily living to physiological measurements and sleep. This is employed in a realistic domestic smart home environment to validate its efficiency and effectiveness. The outcomes of the tier 3 study will provide RADAR-AD researchers with an insight into the potential of technological solutions to be incorporated into the daily activity of people living with more advanced stages of cognitive impairment with the goal to explain cognitive decline overtime in an unobtrusive and objective way.
RADAR-AD smart home study
The RADAR-AD tier 3 study compromises a pioneer study in which 10 adults will visit the Smart Home premises at CERTH-ITI (Thessalinoki, Greece). The smart home mimics a real domestic environment and utilizes innovative technologies such as robotic systems and artificial intelligence to assist its inhabitants in areas of health and energy use. Learn more about the Smart home in RADAR-AD’s partner site below:
The RADAR-AD smart home study is very important since for the first time a multi-sensor environment will be used to detect and capture performance ranging from activities of daily living to physiological measurements and sleep.
Panic button for emergencies placed in the RADAR-AD smart home
RMTs used in the RADAR-AD tier 3 study
The smart home makes use of the same sensors employed in the RADAR-AD tier 2 study but in greater quantities. Among these sensors are the Fibaro motion sensors, door sensors and wall plugs. The motion sensors detect movement in the room and measure temperature and light. The door sensors detect if a door opens and closes. The wall plugs measure if an electronic device, such as a lamp or a kitchen device, is being used. With this data, researchers can put together an activity profile of the smart home. The advantage of using these devices is that RADAR-AD participants don’t need to wear any devices and the data is being collected passively. Therefore, there is no need for active involvement on part of the participants.
Another device used in the study is the DREEM headband which measures brain activity with the help of electrodes on the scalp. The Dreem headband collects information about the participants’ brain activity, breathing, movements, and heart rate during sleep. With this data, researchers can put together a detailed sleep profile of the participants. In addition, water level sensor are installed in the sinks and the shower of the RADAR-AD smart home, as well as a panic button for emergencies.
RADAR-AD sensors and devices used in the smart home
Impressions from participants
The first participant in the RADAR-AD Tier 3 study was included on the 25th of November 2021 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Currently, 10 participants have been allocated in the Tier 3 study. RADAR-AD participants in the smart home study receive specific instructions to perform daily activities such as preparing a coffee, hot and cold meals, while smart sensors detecting motion and presence monitor and capture their performance. Furthermore, RADAR-AD participants use wearable sensors (FitBit and Empatica E4) which monitor their physical activity and heart rate during stretching and yoga exercises, as well as their sleep at night. In the smart home RADAR-AD researchers used portable EEG sensor (Muse) – a neurophysiological tool which records brain activity while performing mindfulness and relaxation breathing exercises.
One participant in the Tier 3 RADAR-AD study shares insights: “Everything was wonderful. We did not even feel like the researchers were examining us. It was like playing a game or going on holidays.“
Another participant asked RADAR-AD researchers: “Can we visit you again and stay?”
RADAR-AD participant during a mindfulness exercise in the smart home
RADAR-AD researchers involved in the tier 3 study share:“We are glad to see that upon staying at the Smart Home premises RADAR-AD participants feel happy!“
RADAR-AD participant exploring the smart home environment