What if your home could help you make healthier choices in the future? Researchers at the University of Twente are exploring how smart health technology could support people in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They are looking for adults with obesity who are currently trying to lose weight. Participants will put on a virtual reality headset and step into a possible home of the future, where they can experience for themselves what future health technology might look like.
Imagine a home that uses sensors to monitor your health. A system that provides feedback based on your personal health data. Or digital advice that helps you make healthier choices. Technologies like these offer new possibilities, but they also raise important questions. Would people actually want this kind of technology in their own homes? When does support feel helpful, and when does it become uncomfortable? And what is needed to ensure that technology truly meets the needs of the people who use it?
At the University of Twente, researchers are investigating how people experience future health technologies and what their needs, preferences and concerns are. The UT is involved in RECENTRE, a consortium focused on developing personalised and smart health technology. The research is being conducted by the Department of Psychology, Health & Technology.
Step into the home of the future
During the study, you will put on a virtual reality headset and enter a virtual home. In a fictional scenario, you will experience what it might be like if sensors in your home collected health data and used it to provide you with personalised information or lifestyle advice.
Afterwards, the researchers would like to hear what you think. Would you want to use such a system at home? Would it feel helpful or uncomfortable? And do you think a system like this could help you work on your health and lifestyle?
The researchers will also investigate how participants experience the virtual reality environment. Did you feel as though you were actually present in the house? Did the experience help you think about what matters to you when it comes to health technology?
Experiences of people with obesity at the heart of the research
This study focuses specifically on people with obesity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not always easy, and existing lifestyle programmes do not always meet the wishes and needs of this group. This is precisely why the experiences and ideas of people with obesity are important when developing new technologies.
One €50 Decathlon gift card will be raffled among all participants.
Who can participate?
We are looking for adults who:
- have a BMI of 30 or higher;
- are currently trying to lose weight, either independently or with guidance from, for example, a dietitian;
- can read and speak Dutch.
Not sure whether you meet the criteria? Feel free to contact the researchers to discuss whether you are eligible to participate.
What does participation involve?
Participation consists of one session lasting approximately 45 minutes. You will complete a questionnaire and experience the home of the future using a virtual reality headset. The study will take place at the University of Twente or, if necessary, at another location. Travel expenses may be reimbursed for participants.
Interested?
Contact Britt Heuker of Hoek to make an appointment:
Email: b.s.heukerofhoek@utwente.nl
Phone: +31 53 489 3063
Or sign up//www.utwente.nl/onderzoek/meedoen/projecten/toekomstige-gezondheidstechnologie-virtual-reality/
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