RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Digital Technology for Active and Healthy Ageing in Taiwan

Taiwan is experiencing a rapid increase in its older population, leading to new health challenges. This study, led by CMU Beigang Hospital, aims to explore how digital technology can support healthy aging, especially for older adults in rural areas. They're using special devices like wrist-worn trackers (Geneactiv) and bed sensors (iCue), along with a mobile health app (iMED), to monitor physical activity, sleep, and overall well-being. The goal is to better understand health changes in older age, improve how information is shared through technology, and ultimately help people stay active and healthy for longer. The study will also create a new digital database to help predict future health issues.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

China Medical University Hospital

Enrolment target

140

Start

22 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2029

Healthy Aging Digital Health Literacy

What is this study about?

Many countries, including Taiwan, are seeing more and more people living longer. While this is good news, it also brings some challenges, as older adults can face a higher risk of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and memory problems. In some parts of Taiwan, particularly rural areas, these issues are even more common. This can make it difficult for older people to stay active and healthy, especially if they don't have much experience with modern technology or easy access to health information.

This research project wants to tackle these challenges head-on. It's looking at how everyday digital tools, like smartwatches and mobile phone apps, can help older people monitor their health, encourage them to be more active, and improve their understanding of health information. The study will collect important information about their activity levels, sleep patterns, and overall health to see how these digital tools can be most effective. By gathering this data, researchers hope to develop new ways to support healthy aging and improve the health and well-being of older adults.

Ultimately, this study aims to create a valuable resource – a digital database of health information from older adults. This database could help doctors and researchers better understand how our bodies change as we age and even predict who might be at higher risk for certain health problems. The findings from this project could lead to better health programs and support systems, not just in Taiwan, but potentially for older adults around the world.

Key takeaways

This study uses digital tools to help older adults stay healthy.
It focuses on rural areas in Taiwan where more older people live.
You would wear a motion-tracking device and might use a health app.
The study aims to create a digital health database for predicting future health issues.
Participation involves initial health checks, a blood sample, and regular follow-ups.
You can withdraw from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 60 years old. You should have been living in a stable environment for at least four weeks before starting. This means you've been at the same home or attended the same day-care centre for that time.

It's important that you are able and willing to take part in all the study activities. If your memory or thinking isn't as good as it used to be, a family member or caregiver can give permission for you to join instead.

However, you won't be able to join if you have a serious illness that makes it unsafe to participate, like a current infection (including COVID-19) or a sudden, severe medical problem. Also, if you know you're allergic to the materials in the study's wrist-worn device or bed sensor, you unfortunately can't take part. The study doctors will make a final decision if they think there's any other reason why it wouldn't be safe for you to join.

Quick self-check

Are you 60 years old or older?
Have you been living in the same place or attending the same day-care for at least 4 weeks?
Are you able and willing to follow the study instructions?
Do you feel generally well and don't have an acute (sudden and severe) illness?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would be involved for several years. Initially, for about two weeks, you would wear a special device on your wrist (called GeneActiv) to track your movements and sleep. You would also have some health checks, known as ICOPE assessments, and provide a small blood sample. This blood sample will help researchers look for certain markers related to memory and brain health. You'd also fill out some questionnaires about your lifestyle, how you understand health information, and your comfort with digital technology.

After this initial period, if you continue into the second phase of the study, researchers will follow up with you every three months. During these check-ins, they will monitor changes in your physical activity, sleep, any medications you're taking, your mood, and other behaviours. The study will also use a mobile health app and a smart sensor you place in your bed to gather ongoing information. The total duration of the study, and your participation, is planned to run from 2025 to 2029.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of closely monitoring your health and activity, which could help you better understand your own well-being. You'd also contribute to important research that could improve health support for older people in Taiwan and beyond. However, there are some potential risks. You might experience some minor discomfort from wearing the devices, and there's a small risk associated with blood sampling, such as bruising or a slight infection at the needle site. Your personal information will be kept confidential, but as with any data collection, there's a theoretical risk of a data breach. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

China Medical University Beigang Hospital
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

To see how digital tools like smartwatches and apps can help older people stay healthy and active.

What kind of devices will I use?

You'll wear a wrist device (Geneactiv) and potentially use a mobile app (iMED) and a bed sensor (iCue).

Will I have to give blood?

Yes, a single blood sample will be taken to check for markers related to brain health.

How long will I be involved?

The study is planned from 2025 to 2029, with initial monitoring and then follow-up every three months.

Can I leave the study if I want to?

Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any time without giving a reason.

How to find out more

Dr Ta-Wei Guu Consultant psychiatrist, MD, PhD

066753@tool.caaumed.org.tw +886-57837901 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.