EngAGE: Voice Technology to Help Older Adults and Care Partners Improve Mobility
Voice-Activated Technology to Improve Mobility in Multimorbid, Frail, Homebound Older Adults: EngAGEing Older Adult-Care Partner Dyads
This project is creating a voice-activated tool called EngAGE to help older adults who are homebound and have multiple health conditions, along with their care partners, stay more active and improve their movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11373149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many older adults who are homebound and manage several health issues find it hard to stay physically active, which is important for their independence. This project aims to address these challenges by developing a special voice-activated exercise tool called EngAGE. This tool is designed to be used by both older adults and their care partners, especially focusing on African-American individuals who often experience more severe health conditions. By using technology to deliver exercise support remotely, the project hopes to make it easier for this vulnerable group to participate in physical activity and improve their daily movement.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults, particularly African-Americans, who are homebound, have multiple health conditions, and have a care partner willing to participate.
Not a fit: Patients who are not homebound, do not have multiple health conditions, or do not have a care partner may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could offer a new way for homebound older adults and their care partners to increase physical activity, potentially improving their mobility and overall independence.
How similar studies have performed: Physical activity interventions have consistently shown success in improving frailty and physical performance in high-risk older adults, but this specific voice-activated, dyad-focused approach for homebound individuals is innovative.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huisingh-Scheetz, Megan J — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Huisingh-Scheetz, Megan J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.