Browsing by Author "Rahman, Farzana"
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Item The feasibility, acceptability, and usability of seated Tai Chi exergame among frail older adult with mild dementia or Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study(2023-07-01) Rahman, Farzana; Sun, WinnieBackground: For frail older persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) and mild dementia, Tai Chi (TC) is a popular form of exercise. However, due to accessibility issues and negative outcomes, not all movements are suitable for them. Virtual reality (VR) based seated TC (STC) exergames can alleviate these problems because of its simplicity, safety considerations, indoor application, need for less supervision, and real-time feedback capability. This pilot feasibility study aimed to evaluate the acceptability, safety, and usability of using STC exergame by frail older adults with mild dementia or PD. Methods: A mixed-methods pilot program was conducted among 7 participants with mild dementia or PD who performed the STC exergame using the Xbox 360 Kinect and "your shape fitness evolved Zen" software for 30 minutes. Results: All the participants completed both sessions with an average performance increase of 35.23% in the second session (SE:5.9, P<0.05), indicating that it is feasible to utilize STC exergame by frail older adults with mild dementia or PD. Overall, participants in this study considered STC exergame usable as they found it to be enjoyable (100%), user-friendly (75%) and they were motivated for future use (43%), as well as appreciated its potential for promoting balance and strength (85.70%). . Five major themes were identified from the pilot usability test including (1) willingness to learn new experiences; (2) user-friendly approach to engage in physical movement, relaxation, and mind concentration; (3) motivated to continue with future practice; (4) overcoming physical and technical challenges; and (5) preferences regarding format to participate in exergame. Conclusion: The study's findings provide significant insights that will help future applications of the TC exergame for individuals who are older adults with neurological disorders and cognitive impairment.Item A pilot project to evaluate the ‘CATCH My Breath’ vaping prevention curriculum in Canada: Final Report(Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, 2023-12) Cole, Adam G; Fairs, Lucas; Rahman, Farzana; Momand, Beheshta; Philipneri, Anne; Degano, Celina; Bianco, Marcella; Mantey, Dale; Paul, Sayani; Leatherdale, Scott T; Kelder, StevenVaping has increased dramatically among youth in Canada. However, there is a lack of evidence for effective school-based prevention approaches targeting vaping, particularly for high school-aged students. The objectives of this pilot study were to 1) identify youth and presenter perceptions of the appeal, appropriateness, and comprehensiveness of the ‘CATCH My Breath’ (CMB) vaping prevention curriculum; 2) assess short-term changes in knowledge of and attitudes towards vaping after exposure to the curriculum; and 3) examine the feasibility of implementing CMB in high schools in Ontario, Canada. A convenience sample of 10 high schools across Ontario implemented the CMB curriculum in 28 classes. CMB is an evidence-based vaping prevention curriculum developed in the US. Surveys were given to students before/after exposure to the curriculum to assess changes in vaping knowledge and attitudes. A subgroup of students participated in focus groups and curriculum presenters participated in interviews to provide feedback about the curriculum. Qualitative thematic analyses identified major themes from student focus groups and presenter interviews. McNemar’s exact test assessed changes in knowledge and attitudes before/after curriculum delivery. Curriculum presenters and students highlighted key aspects of the curriculum including the negative health risks of vaping, vaping industry tactics, the development of refusal skills, and engaging activities to keep student interest. While curriculum presenters and students generally thought that the curriculum was appealing, appropriate, and comprehensive, they offered some suggestions for improvement, including revising and adding content, and modifying activities. After exposure to the curriculum, the average knowledge score increased significantly from 5.5/9 to 7.5/9 (p<0.001). At follow-up, more students correctly identified that e-cigarette vapour does not contain mostly water (baseline: 38.5%, follow-up: 82.6%; p<0.001) and fewer students agreed that most people in high school vape (baseline: 83.8%, follow-up: 75.2%; p=0.049). The ‘CATCH My Breath’ vaping prevention curriculum was easily delivered in high school classrooms in Ontario. Some modifications to the curriculum are necessary to make it appropriate for high school students. Future studies should evaluate the short- and long-term impacts of exposure to the curriculum on student vaping behaviours.