The Diabetes ICT Health Motivation Project 2008 - 2010

Lifestyle change is a health objective often connected to desire for a prolonged positive health condition. The project will concentrate on an approach where diabetes, or the risk of the disease, is the main motivator for lifestyle changes and self treatment. Type 2 diabetes is a threat to the public health in Norway and throughout the world, growing at an epidemic rate, with a yearly cost in Norway of 10 billion Nkr. The possible reductions of cost are at the same time very massive with change in lifestyle for this patient group. The changes that people will benefit from are mostly the same for type 2 diabetes and other disease where lifestyle is involved. This project aims to achieve this synergy and is addressing both secondary and primary prevention of lifestyle diseases

Background

Many chronic illnesses can be ameliorated, postponed, or avoided by relatively changes in lifestyle. Although aware of this, people find it notoriously hard to maintain the lifestyle changes, and the self treatment that are necessary, to avoid or postponed secondary illnesses. Providing individuals with a sensor-enhanced electronic lifestyle and health motivator as a every day life tool, patient’s knowledge and coping capacity may increase regarding to their own health situation. This may give a vast parte of the population a better life and ease the burdens on the society’s health and social services.

A combination of personal sensors will be used to measure parameters relevant for the chronic conditions. The measurements will be monitored and integrated over time, and will be used to monitor the lifestyle status and compare the status to the targets for the individual. The individual may also be alerted about any signs of acquiring or deterioration of the condition. The client will have the possibility to add behaviour parameters as comments to sensor parameters or as separate factors. By giving positive or negative feedback, incitement and other feedback, the system may help the client maintain a healthier lifestyle.

The project integrates several technologies and requires expertise in many areas:

- Medical expertise

- Sensor technologies

- Behavioural expertise

- Knowledge in user interface design

- Data integration and data mining

- Portable “semi-intelligent” devices for feedback

Goal

Develop self-help ICT-supported tools for motivation both to change and maintain a healthy lifestyle for the individual, enhanced by health sensor monitoring, sensor data analyzes, information presentation in a self-help learning environment, in peer network learning environment and in health professional supported applications.

Project manager

Geir Østengen (NST)

Project partners

Project participants

Geir Østengen
Eirik Årsand (PhD)
Ragnhild Varmedal
Harald Øverli Eriksen
Naoe Tatara (PhD)

Project start/stop

January 2007 - end of 2010

Contribution to health care

The medical and social cost from chronic illnesses and lifestyle generated health threatening conditions are increasing at a unmanageable pace. The project aim to deliver solutions that make it easier for the individual to build and maintain healthy habits.

Contribution to new industry

The project aim to develop ICT supported tools for the individual that may be deployed in a large scale with moderate costs for the user and the health society.

Contact info

e-mail: Geir Østengen, mobile phone: +47 951 70 246

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