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. 2019 Jun 21:5:2055207619858564.
doi: 10.1177/2055207619858564. eCollection 2019 Jan-Dec.

Use of Amulet in behavioral change for geriatric obesity management

John A Batsis  1   2   3   4   5 , Alexandra B Zagaria  2   3 , Ryan J Halter  6   7 , George G Boateng  6   8 , Patrick Proctor  6   8 , Stephen J Bartels  2   3   4 , David Kotz  8
Affiliations

Use of Amulet in behavioral change for geriatric obesity management

John A Batsis et al. Digit Health. .

Abstract

Background: Obesity in older adults is a significant public health concern. Weight-loss interventions are known to improve physical function but risk the development of sarcopenia. Mobile health devices have the potential to augment existing interventions and, if designed accordingly, could improve one's physical activity and strength in routine physical activity interventions.

Methods and results: We present Amulet, a mobile health device that has the capability of engaging patients in physical activity. The purpose of this article is to discuss the development of applications that are tailored to older adults with obesity, with the intention to engage and improve their health.

Conclusions: Using a team-science approach, Amulet has the potential, as an open-source mobile health device, to tailor activity interventions to older adults.

Keywords: Amulet; Obesity; behavioral change; mHealth; physical activity; sarcopenia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The Amulet prototype.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
This application evaluates the activity of an individual and classifies it as low, moderate or vigorous.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(a) The TheraBand low energy Bluetooth-Nano sensor system from the front; (b) from the side angle; (c) the sensor/handle interface.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
(a) A typical exercise that can be conducted using a resistance band; (b) Amulet with a resistance band.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Batsis JA, Mackenzie TA, Lopez-Jimenez F, et al. Sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and functional impairments in older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999–2004. Nutr Res 2015; 35(12): 1031–1039. - PMC - PubMed

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