How do you measure stress and discomfort in people with dementia who are no longer able to communicate these experiences effectively? INSPIRE consists of a series of sub-studies investigating whether smart sensor technologies can help us do this. We focus specifically on BIS (Bispectral Index) – a technology that measures brain activity using electrodes placed on the forehead to provide an indication of a person’s level of consciousness – and EDA (Electrodermal Activity), which measures stress by detecting changes in the skin’s sweat response.
About the study
People living with dementia are often highly sensitive to stress but are not always able to communicate this effectively. When increasing stress is not recognised in time, it can lead to distress-related behavioural symptoms. Pain is also common in advanced dementia. Pain itself is a source of stress, can trigger behavioural symptoms, and negatively impacts quality of life.
INSPIRE consists of several sub-studies investigating whether smart sensor technologies can help detect stress and discomfort in people with advanced dementia. Ultimately, we hope these technologies will contribute to improving quality of life by supporting earlier recognition of distress.
The project focuses specifically on BIS and EDA monitoring.
The research programme includes:
- Year 1: A systematic review examining the use of BIS monitoring in people with dementia.
- Years 1–2: A study exploring healthcare professionals’ views on the acceptability of using BIS in dementia care.
- Year 2: A pilot study evaluating BIS measurements in people with dementia in clinical practice.
- Alongside these studies: Research investigating whether a smart sensor sock can detect pain in people with dementia, conducted in collaboration with the MASQUE2 study.
