Clinical trials

The AgeTeQ "Arts, health and new information and communication technologies (NICTs)" laboratory database contains all the clinical and paraclinical data of participants in clinical research projects carried out by the AgeTeQ laboratory on the themes of the arts, and/or health, and/or NICTs. The database can thus contain quantitative data (i.e. non-invasive measurements taken with questionnaires or measuring devices providing numerical values such as blood pressure, heart rate or electrical activity of the brain, etc.) and qualitative data (i.e. extracted from a verbatim in the context of guided interviews) from participants in the above-mentioned clinical research projects. These data can take the form of spreadsheets containing numerical values, written documents such as verbatims, and audio or video recordings.

By 2050, one in six people in the world will be over 65, leading to an increase in the number of people with neurocognitive disorders (NCD), such as Alzheimer's disease. The number of cases will rise from 57 million to 153 million by 2050. This presents challenges for healthcare systems, as NCDs affect not only mental health but also the physical health, psychological well-being, and social relationships of patients, as well as their caregivers (PCA). In Quebec, primary care is often inadequate for people living with NCDs due to delays in accessing resources, incomplete coverage of needs, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated these challenges. This situation can lead to a deterioration in patients' health, affecting their quality of life as well as that of their PCAs, while also increasing healthcare costs. Many elderly people wish to age at home, but cognitive and functional decline complicates this desire. PCAs, generally family members or close friends, play an essential role in the daily support of these individuals. Their role, as defined in the Act to support caregivers in Quebec, includes non-professional and voluntary assistance to improve the quality of life of the person being cared for. However, the support provided by PCAs can lead to significant stress, especially if public services are insufficient. The exhaustion of PCAs is often correlated with the severity of the care recipient's loss of autonomy. This exhaustion impacts the mental and physical health of PCAs, leading to isolation, depression, and anxiety, as well as reduced productivity and an increase in sick leave. It is therefore urgent to find support solutions to prevent PCA burnout. Telehealth, which involves remote consultations through information and communication technologies (ICT), appears to be a promising solution to improve access to care for people with NCDs, especially in underserved areas. By enabling remote monitoring, telehealth facilitates aging in place while stimulating the remaining capacities of patients, such as responsiveness to sensory stimuli. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also a promising tool for tracking the health of older adults in real-time, detecting early signs of diseases, and providing personalized recommendations. Virtual assistants or avatars, like "Talk-to-Jo," can interact with patients to reduce their sense of loneliness. However, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their accessibility and adaptability to the needs of patients, particularly in cases of sensory impairments. "Talk-to-Jo" is a digital avatar designed for older adults with NCDs and their PCAs. It asks questions about memory and depression and provides tailored recommendations to prevent or stabilize detected disorders. A first version of this tool is currently available on a tablet. With the growing number of people living with NCDs, it is essential to develop support solutions based on telemedicine and AI. It is important to assess the usability and acceptability of these technologies by patients and their PCAs to ensure their effectiveness.

The study aims at examining the impact of an immersive and interactive digital application (App) that uses impressionist artworks to promote the mental well-being of both young and older adults. The goal is to study the usability and accessibility of this App, particularly for older adults, who may have sensory impairments and lower digital literacy compared to younger adults. The study is based on the hypothesis that the App, which allows interaction with paintings by Claude Monet and Helen McNicoll, can trigger positive emotions, thereby improving users' well-being. The App uses artificial intelligence to create extensions of the paintings and music based on the sonification of electrophysiological signals captured from plants. The study seeks to answer four research questions: 1. The usage behaviors of young and older adults with the App. 2. The impressions and feedback from users after testing the App. 3. The obstacles and enablers to the App's use. 4. The expectations and needs of users for better use of the App. The study's objectives include analyzing the usage behaviors, impressions, barriers, and needs of both young and older adults. It is a qualitative study based on non-participatory observations and semi-structured interviews with young and older participants who have used the App. The App is based on impressionist artworks, a style known for evoking positive emotions, and aims to promote mental health by harnessing the emotional power of digital art and artificial intelligence.