智慧手環是否可影響獨老行走能力與生活品質

The Effect of Wearing a Smart Bracelet to Monitor and Reward Walking Steps on Walking Ability and Quality of Life in Older People Living Alone

目的：探討以智慧手環監測並獎勵走路步數是否能增加走路步數並促進規律運動習慣來增進行走能力並提升生活品質。方法：本研究以7位某區域教學醫院列冊關懷的獨居老人為對象，給予配戴智慧手環監測並記錄走路步數，手環介入3個月後進行初評，並開始獎勵走路步數，6個月與9個月後分別進行中評與後評。成效評估包括行走能力評估(3公尺起立行走，5公尺走路測試)與健康相關生活品質量表(SF-36)，比較介入前後差異。結果：透過智慧手環監測與獎勵，規律運動比率有提升且平均走路步數有增加到7,100步以上達到健康促進之效益，行走能力在3公尺起立行走，平均從初評14秒到後評的9.77秒，進步了30.21%(p=0.091)。5公尺走路測試，平均從初評的1.02公尺/秒到後評的1.28公尺/秒，顯著進步了25.49%(p=0.028)。生活品質量表SF-36增加了1.98%(p=0.735)，但無顯著差異。結論：本研究顯示透過智慧手環監測與獎勵走路步數，可促進走路步數與規律運動，並可顯著促進獨老的行走能力，對於自我健康認知相關生活品質則有維持的效益。

Objectives. To investigate whether use of a smart bracelet can increase the number of walking steps and regular exercise, improve walking ability and the quality of life in older people who were living alone.
Methods. Seven older people who were living alone were given smart bracelets to monitor and record walking steps. Three months after the bracelets were intervened, the participants performed their first test and were rewarded. Mid-term and post-tests were performed after six months and nine months, respectively, to compare differences in walking ability (Walking Ability: 3M Up and Go Test, 5M Walk Test) and a quality of life scale (SF-36) after intervention.
Results. The rate of regular exercise increased, and the average number of walking steps increased to more than 7,100 steps. The time spent during 3M Up and Go Test dropped from 14 seconds to 9.77 seconds, average improvement 30.21%. Performance of the 5M Walk Test improved by 25.49%, significant improvement, from the initial evaluation of 1.02m/s to the post-evaluation of 1.28m/s (p=0.028). The quality of life scale SF-36 also improved by 1.98% (p=0.735).
Conclusion. This study shows that monitoring and rewarding the number of walking steps using the smart bracelet can increase the number of walking steps and regular exercise, significantly promoting the ability to walk among older people. Also, the reward system of smart bracelet helped these older people maintain better life quality.