Rush Team Members
Hyejin Kim, Principal Investigator, Rush University College of Nursing
Olimpia Paun, Co-Investigator, Rush University College of Nursing
Myunghee Kim, Co-Investigator, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering
Award Period
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025
Funding Source
Rush University Cohn Fellowship
Abstract
Culturally-matched home care workers (HCWs) are essential in providing care to immigrants with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), particularly in underserved populations such as Korean Americans. This HCW population encounters distinct caregiving challenges compared to family caregivers, arising from the interplay of cultural expectations and limited control over their work environment, which contribute to elevated stress levels. Given the dynamic nature of stress during ADRD caregiving, it is essential to use objective and continuous monitoring methods rather than relying exclusively on single-time subjective assessments. In response, we will use cutting-edge, non-intrusive wearable technology to analyze digital biomarkers of stress among Korean-American HCWs over time. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using the Ōura ring, validated wearable technology, for stress monitoring in Korean-American HCWs caring for Korean immigrants with ADRD. We will also explore changes in stress over time among Korean-American HCWs using heart rate variability (HRV), a validated biomarker of stress, through the Ōura ring. We will enroll 15 HCWs who self-identify as Korean Americans and provide care to Korean immigrants diagnosed with ADRD. Indicators of feasibility and acceptability include recruitment and enrollment rates of participants, the rate of completion of data collection, and perceived satisfaction and ease of use. To examine longitudinal changes in a stress biomarker (i.e., HRV) using Ōura among Korean-American HCWs, participants will wear Ōura for 24 hours over 21 consecutive days. This study will yield novel findings into stress dynamics among culturally matched Korean-American HCWs caring for Korean immigrants with ADRD, leveraging innovative wearable technology. The successful completion of this study will generate evidence for our long-term goal of developing stress reduction interventions within this understudied HCW population.