Wearable sensors in identifying pre-symptoms of a migraine attack from the perspective of migraine patients
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Topic of the dissertation
Wearable sensors in identifying pre-symptoms of a migraine attack from the perspective of migraine patients
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science Hanna-Leena Huttunen
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Empirical Software Engineering in Software, Systems, and Services (M3S)
Subject of study
Information Processing Sciense
Opponent
Docent Jaana Leikas, VTT
Custos
Doctor of Philosophy Pertti Seppänen , University of Oulu
W earable sensors in identifying pre-symptoms of a migraine attack from the perspective of migraine patients
Migraine is one of the most challenging diseases, putting a strain on health services and lowering the quality of life of those who suffer from it. By identifying the pre-symptoms of migraine and using self-measurement technology, detailed information can be collected, and health problems can be addressed.
Study explored migraine patients’ perceptions of the benefits they perceive to be important when using technology applications in the self-care of their migraine condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the technological solutions, the use, and the patients’ expectations of the benefits of wearable sensors. Previous studies have not combined these three perspectives. This study analysed the willingness of migraine patients to use wearable sensors to support self-care and the use of an electronic migrainediary for migraine .
The study was carried out using a qualitative multi-method study. The research data was based
on 582 email survey responses, 12 qualitative interviews and user experiences of the Empatica E4 device.
The study showed that migraine patients wanted wearable sensors to support self-care by
identifying the pre-symptoms of migraine and an electronic migraine diary to monitor migraine
attacks. Together, the wearable device and the electronic migraine diary support the patient’s selfcare.
The dissertation resulted in a perspective model of wearable sensors. The model provides new
insights from three different perspectives: technologies and biosignals, user experiences and
benefit expectations to support self-care of migraine patients.
Study explored migraine patients’ perceptions of the benefits they perceive to be important when using technology applications in the self-care of their migraine condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the technological solutions, the use, and the patients’ expectations of the benefits of wearable sensors. Previous studies have not combined these three perspectives. This study analysed the willingness of migraine patients to use wearable sensors to support self-care and the use of an electronic migrainediary for migraine .
The study was carried out using a qualitative multi-method study. The research data was based
on 582 email survey responses, 12 qualitative interviews and user experiences of the Empatica E4 device.
The study showed that migraine patients wanted wearable sensors to support self-care by
identifying the pre-symptoms of migraine and an electronic migraine diary to monitor migraine
attacks. Together, the wearable device and the electronic migraine diary support the patient’s selfcare.
The dissertation resulted in a perspective model of wearable sensors. The model provides new
insights from three different perspectives: technologies and biosignals, user experiences and
benefit expectations to support self-care of migraine patients.
Last updated: 23.1.2024