Journal of Hunan University (Natural Sciences）

Mamom, J. "Digital Technology: Innovation for Malnutrition Prevention among Bedridden Elderly Patients Receiving Home-Based Palliative Care.", Vol. 47(10), Oct, 2020, p165-169.

Abstract
               In this innovative development design study, we aimed at examining the effects of digital technology in its use as a mobile nutrition application on the nutritional status and calorie intake for 60 Thai bedridden elderly patients receiving home-based palliative care. The elderly bedridden patients were randomized into two groups, a control group receiving routine care and an experimental group using the anti-malnutrition application. The data from a personal information record, the assessment form for body mass index, calorie intake calculation form and the record form for blood albumin levels were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test. The results showed that the calorie intake, blood albumin levels, and body mass index of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p <.05). The results suggest that this application could solve the malnutrition problem in elderly bedridden patients and significantly enhance their caregivers' satisfaction. This mobile application for appropriate nutrition and calorie intake calculations can be used as a significant practical, effective health-associated innovation that promotes patients' nutritional status. It facilitates the monitoring of patients' nutritional status. It also provides caregivers with the knowledge and understanding they need to improve the home-based palliative care of the elderly bedridden patients, especially in the health crisis of the COVID-19 era.​