FS system includes devices that continuously monitor physiological and behavioral parameters; the FS devices include bio-impedance scales, blood pressure monitors dynamometers, mobilographs, beacons, mobile phones, and a smart vest (EC certified), together with custom-made docking stations for automatic recharging, down/up-loading data.
Overall, 565 older adults from three clinical centers (Greece, France, Cyprus) were enrolled. Comprehensive clinical assessments were carried out and FS devises were used in multi-point sessions, as per protocol. Furthermore, natural language analysis of written text and data from social media were used to detect subtle frailty related cognitive, language and behaviour changes. The FS Games Framework including augmented reality games, used for both frailty assessment and intervention, was developed and tested for usability, safety, and ergonomics. Dynamic adaptability was integrated. Blood samples were collected to determine the telomeres’ length. In a sub-population, the inflammation profile, the autonomic nervous system, and the mid-thigh muscle surface and volume were studied. Phone follow-ups recorded adverse events, including, falls, fractures, hospitalization, institutionalization, and death.
Data were stored in a HBase database (hosted at the Amazon Web Services cloud) . New methods for the offline and online management and analysis of multimodal and advanced technology data were introduced, and a virtual patient model (VPM) was developed. A GPS tracker application for distance measurement and step counting was implemented. The openEHR, a reference model for building the VPM via archetypes was adapted to address issues of human-computer interaction. A Decision Support System (DSS) engine was incorporated in the VPM, to monitor users' vital signs and create alerts for health professionals. A prediction engine of clinical state was developed, by taking into account all physiological measurements using multiple instance learning (MIL) and tensor decomposition techniques for seamless extraction of features and in-depth analysis of the time series data. The activity classification models based on the FS (devices) variables have been enhanced by accounting for inconsistencies. A linguistic analysis tools was also developed to support necessary user actions. Finally, automated personalized guidelines were created targeting frailty and were incorporated in the DSS to be automatically available to users, caregivers and health professionals.
The FrailSafe system, including data from both clinical assessments and devices, was used
to predict frailty related adverse events (hard outcomes) and worsening in different domains (proxy outcomes). A clinical index, a technical FS device index and a combined clinical and FS index were derived and incorporated in the DSS, providing add-on value to the traditional methods to predict outcome. Furthermore, through cluster profiling a qualitative method was identified to visualize frailty phenotype.The FS platform allowed online data analysis, to identify instability, tendency to fall, and loss of orientation. System usability, utility, friendliness and acceptability in real-life settings (users’ house environment) have been thoroughly analysed. The final version of the FS system has been easily accepted by most of the participants after a short adaptation period. FS system (mostly the games) seems to exert a rehabilitation effect. The future impact to health, social and financial domain was also promising.
The project’s website, the extensive use of social media, workshops, conferences, webinars, fairs and exhibitions, alongside with scientific papers and other written and oral contributions were all directed to increase scientific community and general public awareness. EU regulations and directives were followed and a data management plan was submitted including descriptions of the publicly shared data and links to the public data repositories. FS business models and relevant exploitation strategy were also developed including elaborations of the FS competitive advantages, business models to be commercialized and financial issues and plan for the short-term exploitation rollout. Additionally, the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Working Group was defined and a Joint Ownership Agreement was signed. Multiple disseminations actions were carried out and the project’s final event managed to bring the FS solutions closer to its potential multi-stakeholders.
