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Background The use of assistive technologies (ATs) to support older people has been fueled by the demographic change and technological progress in many countries. These devices are designed to assist seniors, enable independent living at home or in residential facilities, and improve quality of life by addressing age-related difficulties. Objective We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ATs on relevant outcomes with a focus on frail older adults. Methods A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating ATs was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, SocIndex, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and IEEEXplore databases were searched from January 1, 2009, to March 15, 2019. ATs were included when aiming to support the domains autonomy, communication, or safety of older people with a mean age ≥65 years. Trials performed within a laboratory setting were excluded. Studies were retrospectively categorized according to the physical frailty status of participants. Results A total of 19 trials with a high level of heterogeneity were included in the analysis. Six device categories were identified: mobility, personal disease management, medication, mental support, hearing, and vision. Eight trials showed significant effectiveness in all or some of the primary outcome measures. Personal disease management devices seem to be the most effective, with four out of five studies showing significant improvement of disease-related outcomes. Frailty could only be assessed for seven trials. Studies including participants with significant or severe impairment showed no effectiveness. Conclusions Different ATs show some promising results in well-functioning but not in frail older adults, suggesting that the evaluated ATs might not (yet) be suitable for this subgroup. The uncertainty of the effectiveness of ATs and the lack of high-quality research for many promising supportive devices were confirmed in this systematic review. Large studies, also including frail older adults, and clear standards are needed in the future to guide professionals, older users, and their relatives. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42019130249; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=130249

BACKGROUND The use of assistive technologies (ATs) to support older people has been fueled by the demographic change and technological progress in many countries. These devices are designed to assist seniors, enable independent living at home or in residential facilities, and improve quality of life by addressing age-related difficulties. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ATs on relevant outcomes with a focus on frail older adults. METHODS A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating ATs was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, SocIndex, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and IEEEXplore databases were searched from January 1, 2009, to March 15, 2019. ATs were included when aiming to support the domains autonomy, communication, or safety of older people with a mean age ≥65 years. Trials performed within a laboratory setting were excluded. Studies were retrospectively categorized according to the physical frailty status of participants. RESULTS A total of 19 trials with a high level of heterogeneity were included in the analysis. Six device categories were identified: mobility, personal disease management, medication, mental support, hearing, and vision. Eight trials showed significant effectiveness in all or some of the primary outcome measures. Personal disease management devices seem to be the most effective, with four out of five studies showing significant improvement of disease-related outcomes. Frailty could only be assessed for seven trials. Studies including participants with significant or severe impairment showed no effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS Different ATs show some promising results in well-functioning but not in frail older adults, suggesting that the evaluated ATs might not (yet) be suitable for this subgroup. The uncertainty of the effectiveness of ATs and the lack of high-quality research for many promising supportive devices were confirmed in this systematic review. Large studies, also including frail older adults, and clear standards are needed in the future to guide professionals, older users, and their relatives.

Much hope is placed in the use of assistive technologies (AT) to support older adults and retain their independence and quality of life. AT could also be a way to help fulfill the increasing requirements of caring for an aging population. While many devices are freely available, successful and broad adoption is progressing slowly. In a qualitative analysis, we investigated the popularity of AT and the willingness to and obstacles for use. Eleven older adults aged 62–85 participated in three groups, each focusing on a specific age-related case example. Using content analysis, statements have been categorized into three levels: the affected person, their surroundings, and supportive devices. Information (knowledge, consultation) was the topic spoken about the most (n=101), followed by statements focusing on everyday life and the use of assistive devices (n=99). Comments on economic topics carried the least weight (n=28). The biggest obstacles for the reluctant adoption of AT don’t seem to be acceptance issues but rather a lack of knowledge of AT and where to get counseling. Thus, the provision and promotion of coherent information material and accessible consultation for users and relatives should be prioritized. AT training for healthcare professionals can provide further opportunities.

Much hope is placed in the use of assistive technologies (AT) to support older adults and retain their independence and quality of life. AT could also be a way to help fulfill the increasing requirements of caring for an aging population. While many devices are freely available, successful and broad adoption is progressing slowly. In a qualitative analysis, we investigated the popularity of AT and the willingness to and obstacles for use. Eleven older adults aged 62-85 participated in three groups, each focusing on a specific age-related case example. Using content analysis, statements have been categorized into three levels: the affected person, their surroundings, and supportive devices. Information (knowledge, consultation) was the topic spoken about the most (n=101), followed by statements focusing on everyday life and the use of assistive devices (n=99). Comments on economic topics carried the least weight (n=28). The biggest obstacles for the reluctant adoption of AT don't seem to be acceptance issues but rather a lack of knowledge of AT and where to get counseling. Thus, the provision and promotion of coherent information material and accessible consultation for users and relatives should be prioritized. AT training for healthcare professionals can provide further opportunities.

Als naturlich vorkommende phenolische Substanzen inCitrus wurden Hydroxyzimtsaureester mit Glucose oder einer Glykarsaure in Schale und Frucht von Orange, Grapefruit und Zitrone mit analytischer HPLC nachgewiesen. Bei den Hydroxycinnamoylglucosen sind Feruloyl- und Sinapoylglucose Hauptkomponenten und Caffeoyl- und p-Cumaroylglucose Nebensubstanzen. Hydroxyzimtsaureester mit Chinasaure, Apfelsaure oder Weinsaure wurden selbst in Spuren nicht nachgewiesen. Ester von Galaktar- und Glucarsaure als Alkoholkomponenten mit p-Cumarsaure oder Ferulasaure wurden aus Orangenschalen identifiziert. Eine bekannte Methode der Probenaufarbeitung wurde fur die Extraktion und Trennung uber Polyamid herangezogen. Zuerst lassen sich Glucoseester quantitativ mit Methanol eluieren. In einer folgenden Fraktion mit 1,5% Ameisensaure in Methanol werden die Glykarsaureester erhalten. Die qualitative und quantitative Bestimmung mit HPLC erfolgte auf RP-18-Umkehrphasenmaterial (Gradientenprogramm) mit Methanol — 2% Essigsaure. Erganzende Untersuchungen zeigten einen Zusammenhang zwischen den identifizierten Glucarsaureestern und zusatzlichen Substanzpeaks in den Chromatogrammen. Vermutlich handelt es sich um weitere isomere Formen. Frucht- und Schalenextrakte der drei genanntenCitrus-Arten wurden untereinander an Hand ihrer Hydroxyzimtsaureverbindungen verglichen. Glykarsaureester der Hydroxyzimtsauren wurden inCitrus zum ersten Mal gefunden.

Um einen Uberblick uber die qualitative und quantitative Zusammensetzung von Fruchten an Catechin, Epicatechin und Hydroxyzimtsaureestern zu erhalten, wurden zahlreiche Sorten von Apfel, Birne, Aprikose, Pfirsich, Sus- und Sauerkirsche und Pflaume untersucht. Epicatechin dominiert in Kern- und Steinobst auser Pfirsich und Pflaumen, Caffeoylchinasauren sind in allen untersuchten Arten vorherrschend. In Steinobst sind die 3-Isomeren die Hauptkomponenten, wohingegen in Apfeln und Birnen die 5-Isomeren fast ausschlieslich zu finden sind. Apfel und Pflaumen enthalten p-Cumaroylglucose, Feruloylglucose und Caffeoylglucose in unterschiedlichen Gehalten und nur Birnen Hydroxycinnamoylmalate in geringfugigen Mengen. In keiner Probe wurden freie Hydroxyzimtsauren, Sinapinsaureester oder Glucoside der Hydroxyzimtsduren gefunden. Um Catechine und Hydroxyzimtsaurederivate gleichzeitig bestimmen zu konnen, wurde eine bekannte Aufarbeitungsmethode entsprechend modifiziert. Nach Homogenisation und Extraktion des gefrorenen oder gefriergetrockneten Fruchtgewebes wurden die erhaltenen wasrigen Losungen durch Saulenchromatographie an Polyamid fraktioniert. Zuerst wurden mit Methanol Catechine und Glucoseester der Hydroxyzimtsaure eluiert. China- und Weinsaureester dieser Sauren wurden im Anschlus in einer ameisensauren Methanol-Fraktion erhalten. Die Bestimmungen wurden mit analytischer HPLC (Gradientensystem) auf Umkehrphasen-Material (RP-18) durchgefuhrt. Je eine Querschnittsanalyse fur eine Apfelund eine Birnensorte zeigten die Verteilung der erwahnten Verbindungen in Schale, Fruchtgewebe (Pulpe) und Gehausebereich.

2-( E )- O-p -Coumaroyl-, 2-( E )- O -feruloyl- and 2,4-( E , E )- O -diferuloylaldaric acid esters from orange peel have been isolated and identified spectroscopically. GC-analysis of the TMS-derivatives of the hydrolysis products indicated the aldaric acid was glucaric acid.

2′-( E )- O - p -Coumaroyl- and 2′-( E )- O -feruloylgalactaric acids, hitherto unknown in nature, have been isolated and identified from orange peel.