Leader: Massimiliano Scalvenzi, Fabrizio Schonauer; Other collaborator(s):
Within this activity we are looking for a partners to help scale up validated good practices of AHA to a regional and national scale, in order to achieve an adequate dimension of population to realize the aims of the WP. strengthen regional contributions to innovative. We look for healthcare approaches with potential for national/European scale up by: a) identifying, sharing and transferring innovative and validated good practices for disease prevention and health promotion also with peer-to-peer twinning programmes; b) setting up targeted communication campaigns that can be scaled-up at regional, national and international levels; c) stimulating coherent participation of Italian regions to EU calls; d) improving alignment of investments for health innovation at regional/national and EU levels.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results
The analysis included studies that, by evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of various applications, highlighted their usefulness in monitoring and improving participants' lifestyles. The review identified several positive factors in the use of these applications, such as increased weekly physical activity, greater adherence to programs, and the ability to customize training plans based on individual needs and any existing medical conditions. These apps also provide immediate feedback on physiological parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels, offering insights into the volume of activity performed and the quality of lifestyle choices, ultimately promoting better quality of life and sleep.
Furthermore, the review found that combined projects addressing physical activity, nutrition, and participants' psychological disposition yield better results, a finding consistent across the examined studies. This research, titled "Enhancing Behavioral Changes: A Narrative Review on the Effectiveness of a Multifactorial APP-Based Intervention Integrating Physical Activity," was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Based on this review, a prototype of an app was designed to integrate features lacking in existing research. The prototype underwent evaluation by experts in medical, computer science, and design fields to ensure scientific validity, effectiveness, and usability. Currently, the app is in its initial "beta" version and offers the following functionalities:
The activities of the task 1.3 are focused on developing interventions to enhance physiological outcomes and manage disease-related conditions in patients affected by Hidradenitis suppurativa. Specifically, this task worked on defining patients’ unmet needs through a multidisciplinary approach in order to design key digital solutions to address their specific needs. A study protocol has been developed and an ideal ICT tool (mobileApp) has been identified to deliver the proposed health interventions. The study protocol should be completed and submitted to the ethical committee in few weeks. Additional outputs include ongoing clinical studies and the development of a mobileApp design which may be adapted to different patients’ setting as needed.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications: The integration of ICT in healthcare offers opportunities for developing technological tools and interventions targeting chronic and multimorbidity patients, creating potential for innovative products and services. Scientifically, the work contributes to the understanding of complex patients’ management through easily delivered medical assistance.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results: Task 1.3 was focused on the multidisciplinary approach to patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). Through the retrospective analysis of patients suffering from HS referred to the dermatology unit of the AOU Federico II in Naples, a person use-case was developed, summarizing the main characteristics of the HS typical patient. Based on the unmet needs emerged through the analysis of this use-case, the digital solution and multidisciplinary approaches to satisfy these needs were identified. A pilot study has been designed to assess the impact of the identified intervention in HS patients’ life course. The pilot study is currently under his final review before submission to the ethics committee. A first paper describing the process trough the use-case was defined and the pilot study was designed is currently being prepared.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications: The main policy of task 1.3 is to demonstrate that through specifically designed multidisciplinary paths and digital solutions for patients suffering from HS it is possible to improve not only the quality of life of these patients but also their global health status and their integration into society, thus indirectly reducing alsothe healthcare cost of this condition. Hopefully this intervention will set a new solid foundation for HS patients management to be shared with all the scientific community.