Wendy Moyle

Griffith University · Menzies Health Institute QLD

This paper presents an interdisciplinary PhD project using a humanoid robot to encourage interactive activities for people with dementia living in two aged care facilities. The aim of the project was to develop software and use technologies to achieve successful robot-led engagement with older people with dementia. This paper outlines the qualitati...

Aim The aim of the study was to establish the feasibility of delivering a structured post‐diagnosis information and support program to dyads (persons living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and family carers) in two primary care settings. Design A two‐phase explanatory mixed‐method approach guided by the Bowen Feasibility Framework focus...

Aim: To evaluate registered nurses' beliefs and related factors regarding pain assessment in people living with dementia. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted between July 2022 and April 2023. Methods: An online survey comprised of demographics, knowledge scale, and beliefs scale relating to pain assessment in dementia wa...

Introduction: Sexual wellness plays a crucial role in an individual's quality of life, interpersonal relationships, and self-concept, particularly among older adults residing in residential aged care facilities, including those with dementia. However, there is currently a limited person-centered approach to understanding the unique preferences of e...

Aim To identify specific facial expressions associated with pain behaviors using the PainChek application in residents with dementia. Design This is a secondary analysis from a study exploring the feasibility of PainChek to evaluate the effectiveness of a social robot (PARO) intervention on pain for residents with dementia from June to November 20...

Objective:To explore the benefits and barriers of using an interactive robotic seal (PARO, Figure 1) based on the experiences of nursing home residents living with dementia and chronic pain, their family members, and formal caregivers. Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted alongside a feasibility randomized controlled trial at one nursi...

Ageing and dementia affect many aspects of life, including intimate relationships, sex and sexual expression. Older people, including those living with dementia, can have sexual relationships and form new ones. Their sexual and physical health, quality of life, and psychological well-being can be improved by respecting their intimacy and sexuality...

Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate nursing college students’ mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary time (M-PAST) in China. Methods An initial M-PAST questionnaire with mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors was developed with content validity undertaken through a consensus pane...

Aims and objectives: The study's aim was two-fold: (1) to explore the experiences and perceptions of industry, academic, and research professionals concerning technologies used within aged care; and (2) to identify needs-led priorities for the future development and application of technologies within aged care. Background: Global population agei...

Background: Pain is a common problem but often undiagnosed and untreated in people with dementia. Aims: This study explored the experiences of residents with dementia, family, andformal carers with (1) pain assessment and management for residents with dementia; (2) the use of the PainChek app for pain assessment, and (3) the use of a social robo...

Background: Nurses play a pivotal role in pain observation in people living with dementia. However, currently, there is little understanding of the influence culture may have on the way nurses observe pain experienced by people living with dementia. Aim: This review explores the influence of culture on nurses... pain observations experienced by...

Objectives This study aimed to examine the effect of 8-weeks of a 60-minute PARO intervention to reduce depressive symptoms and loneliness in older adults with dementia and investigated changes in their emotional or behavioral expressions and level of engagement with the PARO robot. Methods This was a quasi-experimental study with a repeated measu...

Background Nurses are the largest group of registered healthcare professionals and are fundamental to delivering health and aged care in Australia. Aim To explore how nursing students report clinical experiences when caring for older people as part of a larger study investigating how care of the older person content is included in Australian under...

Background Nursing students encounter older people in all health care sectors; however, few choose a career primarily focused on older person's care. Aim To explore the challenges to teaching older person's care to Bachelor of Nursing students and how pre-registration nursing students are prepared to care for older people, part of a large study in...

We undertook a qualitative assessment of aged care technology needs from the perspective of consumers and providers using a cross-sectional survey that assumed a largely open-response format. We recruited a convenience sample of individuals aged 18 years or older, lived in Australia, and self-identified as either an older adult ( n = 133), an infor...

Objectives: Considering the adverse outcomes of COVID-19, it is essential to provide adequate support and care for people with dementia and informal carers. Technology can reduce the distress associated with social distancing rules and the decreased access to in-person services. This study aimed to explore the use of technology and its perceived e...

This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on family involvement in pain management for people living with dementia from the perceptions of family carers and health care professionals. An integrative review was conducted using CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library electronic databases. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used...

Introduction In China, approximately 85% of people with dementia are cared for by family carers. However, limited research has been conducted to examine family carers’ expectations regarding what they perceive is required for optimal care. Therefore, this study aimed to explore family carers’ expectations regarding dementia care support and service...

The aim of this study was to explore how formal social support changed after implementation of the COVID-19 public health measures and how these restrictions affected people living with dementia and their informal carers in Australia. Sixteen informal carers and two people living with dementia were interviewed between August and November 2020. Part...

This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the health effects of Baduanjin exercise on adults aged 65 years and older. Chinese and English databases were electronically searched using search terms related to the PICO model from inception through June 2021. The study quality assessment and meta-analysis were conducted usi...

This review sought to critically evaluate the use of the teleoperated humanoid robotic communications device, Telenoid, for therapeutic purposes with older adults, and identify and highlight key considerations for future research and clinical practice within gerontechnology. A critical interpretive synthesis was conducted, with nine electronic data...

Background Meeting the complex health needs of an increasing number of older people is a critical workforce challenge for the Australian health and aged care sectors. Nurses are the largest group of registered health care professionals and fundamental to delivering health and aged care in Australia. However, while nursing students encounter increas...

Background This article describes the research activities undertaken to plan and design a self-compassion intervention for family carers of people living with dementia using a person-based and co-design approach. In providing this example, our aim is two-fold: to highlight the value of using qualitative research and co-design processes within inter...

Background China has the largest number of people with dementia in the world. However, there is currently no specific national policy or plan related to dementia care in China. Health professionals working in public tertiary hospitals are the primary sources of diagnosis and treatment of people with dementia. They are very familiar with this popula...

Aim This study aims to test the feasibility of the PainChek app to assess pain for people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). It will also identify the optimal dosage and efficacy of a social robot (personal assistant robot [PARO]) intervention on chronic pain for people with dementia. Design This is a feasibility ran...

Background and purpose: Physical inactivity and prolonged sitting have associations with adverse health. University office workers are at a high risk of psychological and pain issues. This study aimed to explore the differences in sitting time, levels of physical activity participation, stress, depression, anxiety, and pain among university office...

Objectives: This research aims to validate the Healthy Beat Acupunch (HBA) exercise program, determine the feasibility of the HBA exercise program protocol and gain an understanding of the effects on well-being for older adults with sarcopenia. Design, Setting & Intervention: Validation of the HBA exercise program was conducted using two rounds of...

Background Emerging evidence shows an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with dementia and informal carers, without any evidence-based global comparison to date. The aim of this international study was to explore and compare the perceived impact of COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions on the lives of people living with d...

Background Emerging evidence describes impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic upon people living with dementia and their informal carers, however without evidence-based global comparisons to date. The aim of this international study was to explore and compare the impact of COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions on the lives of people living w...

Background Social distancing rules and the closure of services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have strongly impacted the physical and mental health of people with dementia. Digital technologies can represent an effective means to compensate for the distress associated with social distancing rules and the decreased use of in-person services....

Background The number of research projects into residential aged care (RAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing, however there are limited data on the cross-country comparison of experiences residents living with dementia and their families. Our study aimed to 1) give an overview of the RAC restrictions and changes (visiting policy, governme...

Background Limited access to medical and social services during the coronavirus outbreak has contributed to the exclusion of vulnerable populations, such as people with dementia and older adults. These limitations and the resulting social isolation have highlighted the importance of social relationships and their relationship to the mental health o...

Objectives: As medication experts, pharmacists can play a significant role in helping people living with dementia and their informal carers make the best use of medications. However, little is known about this population's needs and expectations of their pharmacists. The objective of this study was to report informal carers' perceptions about the...

Objectives To outline development of the Intimacy and Sexuality Expression Preference (ISEP) tool that elicits preferences for the expression of intimacy and sexuality of older people, living with and without dementia, in residential aged care. Methods Using two rounds of the Delphi technique involving 14 panelists, tool items were evaluated for i...

There is no specific national dementia plan concerning people with dementia in China. The purpose of this study was to explore health professionals’ recommendations for a dementia plan for China to meet the needs of people with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 doctors and nurses using purposive maximum variation sampling....

Objectives: To provide qualitative insight into the experiences of compassion (to self, to others and from others) among family carers of older adults by exploring the written responses provided within a cross-sectional survey that asked about carers' levels of compassion, mindfulness, emotion regulation, coping strategies and psychological health...

Objectives To map the current state-of-knowledge about the effectiveness of smart home technologies to support the health outcomes of community-dwelling older adults living with dementia. Design A scoping review following the methodological frameworks described by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010). Data sources Electronic databas...

Introduction There are personal and societal benefits from caregiving; however, caregiving can jeopardise caregivers’ health. The Further Enabling Care at Home (FECH+) programme provides structured nurse support, through telephone outreach, to informal caregivers of older adults following discharge from acute hospital care to home. The trial aims t...

Objective To investigate the effect of a social robot intervention on sleep and motor activity in nursing home residents living with dementia and chronic pain. Method A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 41 residents from three Australian nursing homes. People living with dementia and chronic pain were randomized into either a 30...

Given the reduced ability of people with dementia to self-report pain, this study examined the feasibility of using a portable electroencephalography (EEG) headband (MUSE 2) as a pain measurement tool for long-term care residents with dementia. Ten minutes of resting-state EEG was acquired by MUSE 2 from people with dementia experiencing ongoing pa...

Aims and objectives To explore hospital healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care in China. Background Hospital healthcare professionals deliver most diagnosis and treatment for people with dementia in China. Literature shows that healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes are of great importance in providing o...

Objectives: This study explored the role of compassion and dispositional mindfulness in the psychological health of family carers of older adults and tested for potential mediating effects of emotion regulation difficulties and adaptive coping strategies. Methods: A sample of 141 family carers of adults aged 65 years or older with chronic condition...

Tai Chi, combined with Thera-band (TCTB) exercise may be associated with an improvement in health where it increases physical fitness, improves psychological well-being, and decreases pain. This paper aimed to determine the feasibility of TCTB exercise in older sedentary office workers. Forty office workers aged over 55 years participated in a pilo...

Objective: To evaluate the effect of interaction with a robotic seal (PARO) for pain management in nursing home residents living with dementia. Methods: Registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12618000082202), a pilot randomized controlled trial followed by semi-structured interviews were conducted between January...

Objectives: To confirm the factor validity of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales (CEAS), as set out in the original development study, when used with a sample of family carers of older adults. Design: A series of confirmatory factor analyses were undertaken to test the previously proposed factor solutions of each scale. Setting: As...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme for reducing the stress, depressive symptoms, and subjective burden of family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD). Methods: A pr...

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to global public health due to home confinement policies impacting on physical activity engagement and overall health. This study aimed to explore physical activity participation, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and levels of perceived stress among Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online s...

Aims and objectives: To provide an overview of restraint use in residents with dementia in the context of residential aged care facilities. Background: Restraints are commonly used in people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities to manage behaviours and reduce injuries, but the concept of restraint use in people with dementia...

Aims and objectives To establish an understanding of healthcare professionals’ dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care, and family carers’ perceptions of dementia care in China Background Healthcare professionals and family carers of people with dementia deliver most of the dementia care in China. However, little research on healthc...

The co-design of a mobile health (mHealth) application for family caregivers of people with dementia to address functional disability care needs is presented. Participants included family caregivers of people with dementia, aged care nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, and information technology (IT) experts. The co-design process involved...

Background Pain can elevate stress in people with dementia. Although salivary cortisol is used as a biomarker of stress in people with dementia, few studies have reported the feasibility of collection methods to assess salivary cortisol in nursing home residents with both dementia and chronic pain. Objective To explore the feasibility of collectin...

This feasibility study examined Dreampad™, a sleeping device, on sleep, wandering and agitated behaviors in people living with dementia. Four nursing home residents (2 males and 2 females; mean age = 89.8 years (SD = 7.2); mean MMSE scores = 9.3 (SD = 8.7)) used Dreampad™ daily over 4-weeks when they slept. Agitation was assessed pre- and post-inte...

General purpose: To provide information about the effectiveness of topical analgesic and local anesthetic agents for reducing pain associated with chronic leg ulcers. Target audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. Lear...

Objectives: Frailty is an increasingly common health condition and is seen more often due to the ageing population. This study reviews the evidence on the development and validation of these automated frailty measurement tools. Design: Six databases: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were electronically searched. Select...

Objectives To investigate the effect of a social robot intervention on depression, loneliness, and quality of life of older adults in long-term care (LTC) and to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions after the intervention. Design A mixed-methods approach consisting of a single group, before and after quasi-experimental design, and ind...

Informal care is recognised as a significant resource in the care of older adults living with a chronic life-limiting illness. This review aims to assess the existing literature on how informal care can support older people living with chronic life-limiting illness in Africa. An integrative review framework was used. Three themes emerged to focus o...

Introduction: Functional impairment is a major problem for people with dementia. In most cases, family carers often provide this care without adequate knowledge and training. Smartphone technology is one means to provide education and support for carers. This study aimed to design and develop a smartphone application for family carers of people wit...

Objectives To evaluate the effect of interaction with a robotic seal (PARO) on pain and behavioral and psychological symptoms of people with dementia and chronic pain. Design A parallel pilot randomized controlled trial conducted between January 2018 and January 2019. Setting Three long-term care facilities in Australia. Participants Forty-three...

Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions to prevent urinary tract infections in older adults living in residential aged care facilities. Background: While most empirical studies focus on the treatment of urinary tract infections, few studies have examined the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in preventing urina...

Background and purpose: Despite Tai Chi and resistance training being recommended as suitable exercise for older adults, there are no systematic reviews synthesizing the effectiveness of a combination of Tai Chi and resistance training on health promotion of older adults. This study aimed to review the existing literature regarding the effect of T...

Objectives There is limited research on the use of telerehabilitation platforms in service delivery for people with acquired brain injury (ABI), especially technologies that support delivery of services into the home. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of rehabilitation coordinators, individuals with ABI, and family caregivers...

The aim of this study was (a) to modify, translate and validate the Chinese version of attitudes towards the use of social robot (ATTUSR-C) questionnaire for use with Taiwanese health personnel; and (b) investigate the attitudes of Taiwanese health personnel in long-term care towards the use of social robots for older adults. The attitudes of healt...

Objectives: To provide an overview of the current use of mindfulness- and compassion-based interventions with family carers of older adults, to aid primary healthcare practitioners in their decision-making around referral to wider healthcare services. The study was guided by four research questions: what interventions are currently used; whom they...

Background: Family carers of people with dementia face different challenges in providing care for daily living activities of their care recipients. Today, mHealth applications are widely used in healthcare. Aim: To examine the needs of family carers of people with dementia concerning the management of functional disability of their care recipients,...

Background: Interacting with social robots, such as the robotic seal PARO, has been shown to improve mood and acute pain for people with dementia. Little attention has been paid to the effect of PARO on people with dementia and chronic pain. Objective: To explore how people with mild to moderate dementia and chronic pain perceive PARO as an alte...

Aim: This study aimed to explore the effect of a social robot Paro intervention on depression and well-being in older adults with depression living in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Methods: This study was adopted a single group and quasi-experimental with repeated measures design. Each participant participated in two stages: observation and...

As the Australian population ages the demand for nursing care which focuses on responding to the needs of the older person will increase. Few newly graduated Registered Nurses (RNs) currently enter the aged care workforce and few select a career in caring for older people; yet older people are the largest patient group in most health care environme...

Background: Dementia is a global health problem. Functional disability is one of the major problems among people with dementia, and family carers often provide care and support without adequate knowledge and skills. Therefore, providing education for carers is a priority need for dementia care. Today, innovative technologies such as smartphone appl...

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi combined with Theraband training with Tai Chi exercise–only on physical fitness, psychological well-being, and pain in older sedentary office workers. Materials and Methods Forty sedentary office workers older than 55 years were recruited and randomly assigned to an inter...

This study aims to describe a protocol to develop a conceptual design for a technological device based on theoretical knowledge to improve medication adherence in people with dementia. The six steps of the intervention mapping approach will be systematically applied. Step 1 will be a needs assessment using a mixed‐methods approach: a survey and int...

Objectives This paper aims to confirm the content validity of the domains identified during the development of the Alzheimer’s disease – five dimensions (AD-5D) algorithm for the quality of life – Alzheimer’s disease (QOL-AD) and to identify the rationale for stated quality of life preferences. Methods Focus groups were conducted to elicit the pri...

Aim: To examine the needs, barriers and challenges experienced by family carers of people with dementia concerning the management of their care recipients' functional disabilities, and their experiences and opinions of using mobile health (mHealth) applications in health information seeking. Background: Functional disability is a significant pro...

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of using telepresence robots to encourage interactive communication in dementia care, from the perspective of family carers. Methods: Qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews with six family carers. Results: Generally, family carers reported a feeling of presence and co...

Use of mHealth applications in health information seeking among carers of people with dementia. Sarath Rathnayake1,2,3 , Wendy Moyle1,2, Cindy Jones1,2 and Pauline Calleja1,2. 1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Australia. 2Menzies Health Institute, Queensland, Australia. 3Department of Nursing, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lan...

Dementia is a leading cause of disability, and the prevalence of dementia is steadily increasing. Although people with dementia are living longer lives in the community, without adequate support for their declining physical and psychological needs, the majority of these individuals end up in nursing homes. With no cure in sight, and in the context...

Prolonged sitting time has been reported among university workers which can have adverse health effects. The aim of this study was to examine the sitting time, physical activity, and psychological well-being reported by older university office workers. An online self-reported survey was distributed to all office workers 55 years and older at one un...

Improving perception of gerotranscendence can increase life satisfaction in older adults to achieve successful aging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effect of a multidimensional support program (MSP) on gerotranscendence and depression in community-dwelling older adults. Using a cluster–randomized control trial design...

Aim To assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on pain in older adults living with dementia. Design A systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Data sources Scopus, ProQuest, EBSCO (CINAHL and MEDLINE), PubMed, OVID (PsycINFO), Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception up to...

Objectives: To explore the feasibility of using the video-conferencing program, Skype, on iPads with older adults living in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Method: Using a mixed-method design, six residents from one LTC facility in Queensland, Australia participated in a one-off interactive intervention session, followed by post-session semi-struc...

Objectives: This review sought to synthesize published evidence about the role of self-compassion on health outcomes for family carers of older adults, to describe the current state of knowledge. Method: Using an integrative review method that permitted any research design, eight databases were searched. Extensive searching of gray literature sourc...

This paper reports on a mixed methods project entitled Playful Engagement aimed at improving the quality of life (QoL) of individuals living with dementia through engagement with two relational clowns. Analysis of the quantitative data was unable to identify QoL improvements, whilst the qualitative data revealed positive affective outcomes within i...

Objectives: To compare a lifelike baby doll intervention for reducing anxiety, agitation, and aggression in older people with dementia in long-term care (LTC), with usual facility care; and explore the perceptions of care staff about doll therapy. Method: Pilot, mixed-methods, parallel, randomised controlled trial, with follow-up semi-structured in...

Objectives: To achieve a better understanding of medication non-adherence determinants in older people with dementia from caregivers' perspectives and possible management solutions to improve medication adherence. Method: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 20 caregivers of older people with dementia living in the community....

Objectives: To explore the acceptability of telepresence robots in dementia care from the perspectives of people with dementia, family carers, and health professionals/trainees, and investigate the utility of a social presence assessment tool, the Modified-Temple Presence Inventory (Modified-TPI), for people with dementia. Method: A mixed-method...

Purpose: In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies using social robots to improve psychological well-being. This systematic review investigates the effect of social robot interventions for depression in older adults. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method was use...

Aims and Objectives To explore the impact of early‐stage dementia on care recipient/carer dyads’ confidence or belief in their capacity to manage the behavioural and functional changes associated with dementia, and access appropriate support networks. Background Living with dementia has predominantly been explored from the carer perspective and fo...

Introduction: Family carers of people with dementia (PWD) face a number of challenges in their caregiving role particularly limited knowledge of best practice in the care of PWD. Recently, mHealth applications have been used as a means to improve knowledge and to support for formal and informal carers. Purpose: To identify, appraise and synthesise...