Facilitating glaucoma treatment adherence: The application of health psychology and enabler technology

2023年2月7日更新

Project Summary

Principal Investigator	OMORI Mika(Faculty of Core Research Human Science Division)
Co-investigators	AIKAWA Noriko（Institute for Global Leadership） KAYO Ayano（Faculty of Core Research） NAKAZAWA Toru（Tohoku University） HIMORI Noriko（Tohoku University） YABANA Takeshi（Tohoku University) USHIKU Yoshitaka（OMRON SINIC X Corporation） SONE Shisaku（OMRON SINIC X Corporation）
Research period	FY 2022 -
SDGs Goals	3（Good Health and Well-being）

Outline of Research

Successful behavioral change is critical for the prevention of infectious disease and chronic disease. Although the dissemination of knowledge within the disease prevention context is emphasized, knowledge alone does not lead to individuals’ behavioral change. Developing effective and evidence-based prevention programs requires the identification of psychosocial predictors that promote health-related behaviors and the development of systems that help individuals practice health-related behaviors in everyday lives.
In Japan, glaucoma accounts for 28% of vision impairment. The population’s uncorrectable vision impairment is increasing, and early detection and adherence to glaucoma treatment are key to the prevention of that impairment. Although health care providers address the threat of glaucoma, individuals do not necessarily follow the treatment regimen as recommended. Furthermore, gender differences in the etiology of the disease and in treatment adherence have been reported. For instance, it was reported that women were found more likely to drop out of treatment compared to men. Dropouts’ reasons involved not only burdens of child rearing and nursing care but also side effects that change the appearance, for example, darkening of the eyelashes or the eyelid skin. Thus, the development of programs that facilitate treatment adherence requires exploration of psychosocial factors and integration of gender differences.
In seeking development of enabler systems for doctor-patient communication on mobile devices, the current project assembles experts in health psychology, ophthalmology, medical engineering, AI, robotics, and IoT technology. To achieve this goal, the project aims the following: 1) to examine psychological processes related to glaucoma treatment adherence, 2) to develop enabler technology that supports treatment adherence and to examine its effects, and 3) to develop gender-sensitive glaucoma prevention and treatment systems.

Research Reports

REPORTS
- Reports（FY2023）
- Reports（FY2022）