Najmeh Khalili-Mahani

Living labs have been deployed in numerous settings including agriculture, public services, urban planning, and technology development. Despite significant conceptual developments in living lab theory and methodology, there remain significant gaps in the sharing of concrete experiences alongside challenges faced by developers and users of living labs in specific political and social contexts. To address such gaps, we embarked as a collective of living labs on a knowledge co-development process based on actual experiences of developing and operating 10 active Canadian living labs. In this paper, we report and discuss common advantages, challenges, and lessons learned through our experiences.

Neuroimaging research requires sophisticated tools for analyzing complex data, but efficiently leveraging these tools can be a major challenge, especially on large datasets. CBRAIN is a web-based platform designed to simplify the use and accessibility of neuroimaging research tools for large-scale, collaborative studies. In this paper, we describe how CBRAIN’s unique features and infrastructure were leveraged to integrate TAPAS PhysIO, an open-source MATLAB toolbox for physiological noise modeling in fMRI data. This case study highlights three key elements of CBRAIN’s infrastructure that enable streamlined, multimodal tool integration: a user-friendly GUI, a Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) data-entry schema, and convenient in-browser visualization of results. By incorporating PhysIO into CBRAIN, we achieved significant improvements in the speed, ease of use, and scalability of physiological preprocessing. Researchers now have access to a uniform and intuitive interface for analyzing data, which facilitates remote and collaborative evaluation of results. With these improvements, CBRAIN aims to become an essential open-science tool for integrative neuroimaging research, supporting FAIR principles and enabling efficient workflows for complex analysis pipelines.

Since the invention of functional brain imaging in the early 1990s, this instrumentally and computationally expensive methodology has captured our interests in visualizing the working mind, especially that of super-ageing brains. Because neuroimaging research is costly, various communication strategies are deployed to increase its visibility and fundraising success. Through a historical perspective on the representation of healthy ageing in the media, we examine the methods of communication (media logic) and the cultural interdependencies between media, research institutions, and health funding politics (mediatization), which magnify the profile of brain imaging in advancing the science of healthy ageing. Examples of hyped messaging about healthy-ageing brains underline the risk of visual ageism — a prejudiced and stereotypical view of what a good or bad older brain looks like. We argue that hyped mediatization can alienate older adults from participating in a line of research that might stigmatize them.

Background: Two fields of research and development targeting the needs of the aging population of the world are flourishing, successful aging and assistive information and communication technologies (A-ICTs). The risks of ageist stereotypes emerging from how we communicate in both discourses are long known. This raises questions about whether using specific age criteria in the context of “aging deficits” can bias participation in, or compliance with, the research process by older adults who try to avoid age-related stigma. Objective: This study aimed to examine subject recruitment, study designs (based on age >65 years criteria), as well as discourses in research objectives and conclusions in health research on affordances of A-ICTs for older adults. Methods: A systematic mapping approach was used to characterize rationales, methods, stated objectives, and expected outcomes of studies indexed in PubMed and retrieved through the search logic ([“Older Adults” OR Seniors OR Elderly] AND [ICT OR gerontechnology OR “Assistive Technology”)] AND (“Healthy Aging” OR “Successful Aging” OR “healthy ageing” OR “successful ageing”). Inclusion criteria were as follows: the study should have recruited older participants (aged >65 years), been qualitative or quantitative research, and involved the introduction of at least one A-ICT for health-related improvements. Exclusion criteria were as follows: reviews, viewpoints, surveys, or studies that used information and communication technology for data collection instead of lifestyle interventions. Content, thematic, and discourse analyses were used to map the study characteristics and synthesize results with respect to the research question. Results: Of 180 studies that passed the search logic, 31 (17.2%) satisfied the inclusion criteria (6 randomized controlled trials, 4 purely quantitative studies, 9 focus groups, 2 observational studies, and 10 mixed methods studies). In all but one case, recruitment was pragmatic and nonrandom. Thematic analysis of rationales revealed a high likelihood of emphasis on the burdens of aging, such as rising costs of care (12/31, 39%) and age-related deficits (14/31, 45%). The objectives of the research fell under 4 categories: promotion of physical activity, acceptance and feasibility of robots and remote health monitoring systems, risk detection, and the future of A-ICTs in health care for older adults. Qualitative studies were more attentive to the nonageist research guidelines. Heterogeneity in the study results (both qualitative and quantitative) was not related to age but to individual agency, acceptance, and adherence. A combination of research strategies (participatory, longitudinal, playful, flexible, and need-based designs) proved successful in characterizing variations in study outcomes. Studies that documented recruitment dynamics revealed that fear of stigma was a factor that biased participants’ engagement. Conclusions: This review indicates that age is not an informative criterion for recruitment and retention of participants. Charting the dynamics of adoption of, and interaction with, A-ICTs is critical for advancing research and technology development.

Editorial: Qualitative pain research: Capturing and integrating cultural, social and linguistic data

BACKGROUND Two fields of research and development, targeting the needs of the ageing population of the world are flourishing: One focuses on discovering pharmacological or behavioral solutions that promote successful ageing. Another one focuses on developing assistive information and communication technologies (A-ICT) that help ageing populations retain healthy and independent living in later years of life. Critical ageing studies warn about risks of ageist stereotypes emerging from how we communicate both of these discourses. This raises question about whether using specific age criterion in the context of 'ageing deficits' can bias participation in, or compliance with research process by those who fear age-related stigma. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine subject recruitment and study designs (based on 65+ age criteria), as well as discourses in research objectives, and conclusions, in health research about affordances of A-ICTs for older adults. METHODS A systematic mapping approach was used to characterize rationales, methods, stated objectives and expected outcomes of studies indexed in PubMed, and retrieved through the search logic (('Older Adults' OR Seniors OR Elderly) AND (ICT OR gerontechnology OR 'Assistive Technology' )) AND ('Healthy Aging' OR 'Successful Aging' OR 'healthy ageing' OR 'successful ageing' ). Inclusion: The study should have a) recruited older participants (65+); b) been qualitative or quantitative research; and c) involved introduction of at least one A-ICT for health-related improvements. Exclusion: Reviews, viewpoints, surveys, or studies that used an ICT for data collection instead of lifestyle intervention. Analysis: Content, thematic and discourse analyses were used to maps study characteristics and synthesize results with respect to the research question. RESULTS From 180 studies that passed the search logic, 31 satisfied the inclusion criteria (6 randomized controlled trials, 4 purely quantitative studies, 9 focus groups, 2 observational studies and 10 mixed methods.) In all but one, recruitment was pragmatic and non-random. Thematic analysis of rationales revealed high likelihood of emphasis on burdens of ageing such as rising costs of care (12/31) and age-related deficits (14/31). The objectives of research fell under four categories: promotion of physical activity; acceptance and feasibility of robots and remote health monitoring systems; risk detection, and the future of A-ICTs in healthcare for older adults. Qualitative studies were more attentive to non-ageist research guidelines. Heterogeneity in study results (both qualitative and quantitative) was not related to age, but to individual agency, acceptance and adherence. A combination of research strategies (participatory, longitudinal, playful, flexible and need-based designs) proved successful in characterising variations in study outcomes. Studies that documented recruitment dynamics revealed that fear of stigma was a factor that biased participant engagement. CONCLUSIONS This review indicates age is not an informative criterion for recruitment and retention of participants. Adopting eco-social, flexible and personalized frameworks to chart the dynamics of adoption of, and interaction with A-ICTs, is more critical to advance research and technology development. CLINICALTRIAL

Background: Myriad psychosocial and cultural factors influence personal ways of coping with chronic pain (CP). Mobile health (mHealth) apps facilitate creation of citizen laboratories outside clinical frameworks. However, issues of safety, privacy and technostress must be addressed. This attitudinal user study aimed to assess whether persons with persistent pain (PwPP) would be open to sharing qualitative and quantitative data about their self-management of CP via mHealth platforms.Methods: In March 2020, we invited PwPPs, their personal or medical caregivers, or those interested in the development of an app for researching alternative ways of self-managing CP to complete an anonymous survey. We formulated an attitudinal survey within the theoretical framework of stress to estimate whether the novelty, unpredictability, and risks of data-sharing via mHealth apps concerned users. Descriptive statistics (% Part/Group) were used to interpret the survey, and open comments were reflectively analyzed to identify emerging themes.Results: Of 202 responses (June 2021), 127 identified as PwPPs (average age 43.86 ± 14.97; 100/127 female), and listed several primary and secondary CP diagnoses. In almost 90% of PwPPs, physical and emotional wellbeing were affected by CP. More than 90% of PwPPs used alternative therapies (acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, etc.). Attitude toward mHealth apps were positive even though nearly half of PwPPs were unfamiliar with them. More than 72% of respondents were open to using a health-related app as a research tool for data collection in real life situations. Comprehensive data collection (especially about psychosocial factors) was the most important requirement. More respondents (especially medical professionals) were concerned about health hazards of misinformation communicated via health-related information and communication systems (maximum 80%) than about privacy (maximum 40%). Qualitative analyses revealed several promises and impediments to creation of data-sharing platforms for CP.Conclusions: This study shows a general willingness among PwPPs to become partners in studying alternative pain management. Despite a generally positive attitude toward the concept of sharing complex personal data to advance research, heterogeneity of attitudes shaped by personal experiences must be considered. Our study underlines the need for any digital strategy for CP research to be person-centered and flexible.

In this paper, we convey the results of our digital fieldwork within the current mediascape (English) by examining online reactions to an important source of cultural influence: the news media's depiction of older adult's stress, the proposals offered to older adults to assist them in coping with the stress of living in the COVID-19 pandemic, and finally, the responses of online commentators to these proposals. A quasi-automated social network analysis of 3390 valid comments in seven major international news outlets (Jan-June 2020), revealed how older adults were generally resourceful and able to cope with COVID-19 stress. For many in this technology-using sample, information and communication technologies (ICTs) were important for staying informed, busy, and connected, but they were not the primary resources for coping. Although teleconferencing tools were praised for facilitating new forms of intergenerational connection during the lockdowns, they were considered temporary and inadequate substitutes for connection to family. Importantly, older adults objected to uncritical and patronizing assumptions about their ability to deal with stress, and to the promotion of ICTs as the most important coping strategy. Our findings underline the necessity of a critical and media-ecological approach to studying the affordances of new ICTs for older adults, which considers changing needs and contextual preferences of aging populations in adoption of de-stressing technologies.