A paper on the design and feasibility evaluations of Healing Spaces was published as part of the proceedings of the PETRA ’20 Conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments. I contributed to the paper as second author, particularly in section 4.1 describing the RITE study, which I led during the project’s development.
Named Best Novelty Paper at PETRA 2020 Best Paper Awards
The paper is available here.
Abstract: Healing Spaces proposes a new approach to multisensory interventions that show potential in ameliorating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of advanced dementia in older adults. Using smart technology, the project combines both digital and physical components to transform spaces and create unified, curated sensory experiences that provide meaningful context for interaction, and are easy for caregivers to deliver. A usability study was conducted for the Healing Spaces app followed by a feasibility evaluation of the full experience in a memory care facility recruiting caregivers, and residents in advanced stages of dementia. The feasibility evaluation successfully illuminated strengths as well as areas for improvement for the Healing Spaces experience in a memory care setting with older adults with advanced dementia. Caregivers and facility managers expressed interest in continuing to use Healing Spaces with the residents of the facility. Lessons learned about the technical and logistical implementation of Healing Spaces are discussed, as well as future directions for study design and potential therapeutic value of the experience.
Citation:
Gomes, G. P. R., Rubin, S., Duker, L. I. S., Benton, D., Kratky, A., Chen, S. Y. A., Jordan-Marsh, M., & Gotsis, M. (2020). Healing Spaces: Feasibility of a multisensory experience for older adults with advanced dementia and their caregivers. PETRA ’20: Proceedings of the 13th ACM International Conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments.
See also:
Sydney Rubin 