In June, Verona and Padua University researchers embarked on an exciting journey into the cutting-edge world of AUTH Infrastructures. Their mission? To unveil the groundbreaking potential of "ASSURE - Automatic dysphagia Screening throUgh aRtificial intelligence" a revolutionary non-invasive tool designed to screen Dysphagia among older adults.
Armed with a 3D camera and a digital stethoscope, ASSURE aims to lead the way in automatic, unsupervised screening. It utilizes "The Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids" (TOMASS) and the Timed Swallow Test (TWST) to identify and compare individuals with mild Dysphagia symptoms and their healthy counterparts. Before recruiting participants, our two researchers, under the remote supervision of their Principal Investigator, fine-tuned their equipment with the assistance of the skilled LL technical staff, ensuring a smooth operation. A tutorial video, created in Greek with the support of the LL staff, guided participants through TOMASS and TWST, enhancing test compliance. Additionally, a validated questionnaire and an oral cavity check were conducted to delve deeper into dysphagic symptoms, providing a comprehensive understanding. The outcome? A computerized tool for screening older adults for Dysphagia risks, encompassing both solids and liquids. During their stay, researchers met with doctors at the “Hippokration” General Hospital of Thessaloniki, where the AUTH Healthcare Transitions Living Lab is located. These meetings aimed to identify suitable patients for the study, discuss test logistics, and perform tests with eligible hospital patients. Importantly, knowledge transfer occurred as two LL staff members, a doctor, and a dentist were trained by the visiting researchers on the current protocol to continue the experimental work.
AUTH Living Environment Simulation consists of a room that resembles a real house kitchen and living room. The room is equipped with home appliances and furniture to better resemble an older adult’s home. There are also monitoring devices installed (e.g. 3D depth sensor camera, fish eye camera). ThessAHALL Living Lab aims mainly to foster initiatives encouraging regional development and healthcare systems sustainability by the provision of novel technologies and innovation. It is actively engaged with the end-users and relevant community stakeholders, actively pursuing co-creation and co-design of technological solutions to improve health and social conditions and facilitate independent living. In this context, the AUTH Living Environment Simulation provided the optimal backdrop for external researchers involved in the ASSURE project to seamlessly carry out all experimental processes for testing their novel computerized tool.
The culmination of these efforts was aimed at providing a valuable computerized tool that offers a comprehensive approach to screening older adults for both solid and liquid dysphagia risks. This incredible opportunity, made possible by the VITALISE Open Call, not only opened doors to desired participants but also enriched the research study with invaluable data.