MEDILUDUS

MediLudus develops an integrated home medical monitoring system that offers incentives and suggestions to improve the living conditions of older adults who live alone or without ongoing monitoring and support.

Challenges addressed

• Physical fitness: one of the most common problems for older people is the loss of independence because of reduced mobility and fitness. Improving the patient’s condition usually requires a trained physiotherapist, working with the treating physician, or a carer who supports daily activities.
• Cognitive ability: besides age-related cognitive decline, several medical conditions reduce a patient’s skills. A therapist often helps the patient develop new skills or regain lost ones, and specialised help is needed for cognition and memory.
• Social activity: these problems often lead to isolation, a lack of motivation for social interaction and a feeling of inactivity. A psychologist can design an intervention for each patient, and a therapist can support their socialisation.

The MediLudus approach

The system has two poles. The first is a local decision and motivation system that gives the patient intangible rewards for single or repeated actions that improve their life and encourage adherence to medical instructions. The second uses sensors in the home and on the patient (wearables) that continuously report on their activities and clinical picture, and on conditions in the home such as temperature, air quality and lighting.

The system collects these data, suggests ways to improve quality of life at home and informs the treating physician and the patient’s relatives when a measurement matches one of the risk patterns selected by the doctor. Personalised gamification encourages the patient to follow its suggestions and the exercise and social activity programme prescribed by their physicians.

The sensors also help cover medical problems and accidents, such as falls or an unplanned departure from home. Living conditions improve through simple actions, like opening a window, or simple tools, like calling a relative. Gamification covers exercise, social contact, cognitive training and learning games, and safety in the home.

What MediLudus offers

• A decision system that lets the treating physician design a personalised follow-up plan.
• Home monitoring of medical information, with communication to the doctor and relatives whenever needed.
• Personalised advice and incentives or rewards for following the doctor’s instructions.
• Personalised physical, cognitive and social activities that strengthen the patient’s skills.
• A gamification system that boosts social activity and satisfaction with the application.

Co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) through the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (EPAnEK), NSRF 2014–2020.