Slide
Centre Interdisciplinaire
de Recherche et d’Innovation
en Cybersécurité et Société
de Recherche et d’Innovation
en Cybersécurité et Société
1.
Rigas, C.; Lavin, P.; Su, C. -L.; Hassan, M.; Cinalioglu, K.; Vacaflor, B.; Dikaios, E.; Goodman, A.; Ibrahim, M.; Gruber, J.; Se, J.; Sasi, N.; Nazar, R.; Bodenstein, K.; Elbaz, S.; Fajzel, H.; Berkani, S.; Hanganu, C.; Noble, H.; Looper, K.; Bouchard, S.; Seitz, D.; Kumar, S.; Beauchet, O.; Launay, C.; McDonald, E.; Khoury, B.; Ryder, A.; Battistini, B.; Fallavollita, P.; Vahia, I.; Sekhon, H.; Bukhari, S.; Rej, S.
In: BMC Psychiatry, vol. 26, no. 1, 2026, ISSN: 1471244X (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 80 and over, adult, aged, Anxiety, article, clinical outcome, clinician, cohort analysis, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, demographics, Depression, female, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Geriatric mental health, health hazard, health program, human, human experiment, Humans, informed consent, male, Mental health, Mental Health Teletherapy, mental stress, older adults, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Stress Scale, physiological stress, prediction, Predictors of treatment response, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Psychological, psychology, SARS-CoV-2, secondary analysis, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Social isolation, social worker, Stress, telehealth, Telemedicine, teletherapy, Therapy, treatment response, very elderly, Volunteer-based intervention
@article{rigasOptimizingFutureTelehealth2026,
title = {Optimizing future Telehealth mental health programs: a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study to identify key predictors of intervention response in the Telehealth intervention program for older adults (TIP-OA)},
author = {C. Rigas and P. Lavin and C. -L. Su and M. Hassan and K. Cinalioglu and B. Vacaflor and E. Dikaios and A. Goodman and M. Ibrahim and J. Gruber and J. Se and N. Sasi and R. Nazar and K. Bodenstein and S. Elbaz and H. Fajzel and S. Berkani and C. Hanganu and H. Noble and K. Looper and S. Bouchard and D. Seitz and S. Kumar and O. Beauchet and C. Launay and E. McDonald and B. Khoury and A. Ryder and B. Battistini and P. Fallavollita and I. Vahia and H. Sekhon and S. Bukhari and S. Rej},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105038539121?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1186/s12888-025-07688-1},
issn = {1471244X (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {BMC Psychiatry},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd},
abstract = {Background: The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) was a volunteer-based phone support program for to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. While volunteer-based phone programs can be effective in providing mental health support, there is limited data on the predictors of response to such interventions. This study aimed to examine clinical and demographic predictors of response to the TIP-OA intervention among older adults. Methods: This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included 82 TIP-OA users who expressed interest in the program’s research component, met inclusion criteria, and provided informed consent. Participants completed both baseline and 8-week assessments or had 4-week data carried forward using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) method. The intervention consisted of weekly supportive phone calls over eight weeks. Baseline mental health risk level was assessed by clinicians during intake and categorized as low, medium, or high based on symptom severity within specific symptom categories. Associations between baseline risk level and changes in stress (primary outcome), depression, and anxiety (secondary outcomes) were examined. The primary outcome was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; scores ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often)). Secondary outcomes were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; scores ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day)), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; scores can range from 0 (not at all sure) to 3 (nearly every day)). Results: At 8 -week follow-up assessment, participants with higher baseline risk levels showed greater reductions in stress (mean difference in Perceived Stress Scale reduction by 2.13, (F(1,77) = 2.82},
keywords = {80 and over, adult, aged, Anxiety, article, clinical outcome, clinician, cohort analysis, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, demographics, Depression, female, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Geriatric mental health, health hazard, health program, human, human experiment, Humans, informed consent, male, Mental health, Mental Health Teletherapy, mental stress, older adults, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Stress Scale, physiological stress, prediction, Predictors of treatment response, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Psychological, psychology, SARS-CoV-2, secondary analysis, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Social isolation, social worker, Stress, telehealth, Telemedicine, teletherapy, Therapy, treatment response, very elderly, Volunteer-based intervention},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) was a volunteer-based phone support program for to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. While volunteer-based phone programs can be effective in providing mental health support, there is limited data on the predictors of response to such interventions. This study aimed to examine clinical and demographic predictors of response to the TIP-OA intervention among older adults. Methods: This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included 82 TIP-OA users who expressed interest in the program’s research component, met inclusion criteria, and provided informed consent. Participants completed both baseline and 8-week assessments or had 4-week data carried forward using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) method. The intervention consisted of weekly supportive phone calls over eight weeks. Baseline mental health risk level was assessed by clinicians during intake and categorized as low, medium, or high based on symptom severity within specific symptom categories. Associations between baseline risk level and changes in stress (primary outcome), depression, and anxiety (secondary outcomes) were examined. The primary outcome was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; scores ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often)). Secondary outcomes were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; scores ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day)), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; scores can range from 0 (not at all sure) to 3 (nearly every day)). Results: At 8 -week follow-up assessment, participants with higher baseline risk levels showed greater reductions in stress (mean difference in Perceived Stress Scale reduction by 2.13, (F(1,77) = 2.82
2.
Azzi, S.; Daramola, O.; Gagnon, S.
Health information technology acceptance by older people: a systematic review Journal Article
In: Discover public health, vol. 23, no. 1, 2026, ISSN: 30050774 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acceptance, Adoption, adult, Africa, aged, aging, assistive technology, conceptual framework, Elderly people, female, Healthcare technology, human, Information retrieval, male, Medical informatics, older adults, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, quality control, review, Social Cognitive Theory, systematic review, telehealth, Theory of Planned Behavior, Theory of Reasoned Action, validity, Web of Science
@article{azziHealthInformationTechnology2026,
title = {Health information technology acceptance by older people: a systematic review},
author = {S. Azzi and O. Daramola and S. Gagnon},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105035521505?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1186/s12982-026-01658-y},
issn = {30050774 (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Discover public health},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd},
abstract = {Background: The increasing ageing population has led to the development of Health Information Technologies (HIT) for older individuals. However, there is a lack of clarity on which HIT older people are more likely to accept and the factors influencing their intention for acceptance. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Four academic databases were searched: Scopus, PubMed, the Web of Science, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, which resulted in the retrieval of 4941 articles. A total of 51 primary studies from 2007 to 2025 that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were subjected to quality assessment and used for the study. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 420251271463). Results: The study revealed that older people have a higher intention to accept assistive technologies over mobile health/eHealth. Older people’s HIT acceptance is influenced by personal, social, and technology design factors. There is a lack of geographical diversity of studies, with few coming from regions like Asia and Africa, hindering a global understanding of HIT acceptance factors. Notably, nearly half of the studies (45.09%) did not employ a theoretical framework, suggesting a lack of grounding in established knowledge and theoretical validity. While theories like the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and their extensions are commonly used, other frameworks, such as the Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Social Cognitive Theory, have been underexplored. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for more rigorous research with diverse geographical representation and the application of broader theoretical perspectives to deepen understanding of HIT acceptance among older people. It also specifies the imperatives for user-centredness in developing HIT products by manufacturers. © The Author(s) 2026.},
keywords = {Acceptance, Adoption, adult, Africa, aged, aging, assistive technology, conceptual framework, Elderly people, female, Healthcare technology, human, Information retrieval, male, Medical informatics, older adults, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, quality control, review, Social Cognitive Theory, systematic review, telehealth, Theory of Planned Behavior, Theory of Reasoned Action, validity, Web of Science},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: The increasing ageing population has led to the development of Health Information Technologies (HIT) for older individuals. However, there is a lack of clarity on which HIT older people are more likely to accept and the factors influencing their intention for acceptance. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Four academic databases were searched: Scopus, PubMed, the Web of Science, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, which resulted in the retrieval of 4941 articles. A total of 51 primary studies from 2007 to 2025 that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were subjected to quality assessment and used for the study. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 420251271463). Results: The study revealed that older people have a higher intention to accept assistive technologies over mobile health/eHealth. Older people’s HIT acceptance is influenced by personal, social, and technology design factors. There is a lack of geographical diversity of studies, with few coming from regions like Asia and Africa, hindering a global understanding of HIT acceptance factors. Notably, nearly half of the studies (45.09%) did not employ a theoretical framework, suggesting a lack of grounding in established knowledge and theoretical validity. While theories like the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and their extensions are commonly used, other frameworks, such as the Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Social Cognitive Theory, have been underexplored. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for more rigorous research with diverse geographical representation and the application of broader theoretical perspectives to deepen understanding of HIT acceptance among older people. It also specifies the imperatives for user-centredness in developing HIT products by manufacturers. © The Author(s) 2026.
3.
Cinalioglu, K.; Lavín, P.; Bein, M.; Lesage, M.; Gruber, J.; Se, J.; Bukhari, S.; Sasi, N.; Noble, H.; Andree-Bruneau, M.; Launay, C.; Sanders, J.; Gauthier, S.; Rosa, P.; Lifshitz, M.; Battistini, B. J.; Beauchet, O.; Khoury, B.; Bouchard, S.; Fallavollita, P.; Vahia, I.; Rej, S.; Sekhon, H.
Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 2023, ISSN: 16641078 (ISSN), (Publisher: Frontiers Media SA).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Anxiety, Depression, meditation, mindfulness, older adults, virtual reality
@article{cinalioglu_effects_2023,
title = {Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial},
author = {K. Cinalioglu and P. Lavín and M. Bein and M. Lesage and J. Gruber and J. Se and S. Bukhari and N. Sasi and H. Noble and M. Andree-Bruneau and C. Launay and J. Sanders and S. Gauthier and P. Rosa and M. Lifshitz and B. J. Battistini and O. Beauchet and B. Khoury and S. Bouchard and P. Fallavollita and I. Vahia and S. Rej and H. Sekhon},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85167920206&doi=10.3389%2ffpsyg.2023.1083219&partnerID=40&md5=e5bae2e2f286bca584f893ad57387285},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1083219},
issn = {16641078 (ISSN)},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
volume = {14},
publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
abstract = {Background: Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health. Methods: We will recruit 30 participants aged ≥ 60 years, whose perceived stress score (PSS) is > 14 (moderate stress), and randomize them 1:1 to the intervention or control waitlist group. The intervention will involve exposure to eight 15-min VR-guided meditation sessions distributed twice weekly for 4-weeks. Two modalities will be offered: in-home and at the hospital. Data analysis: Baseline and post-intervention assessments will evaluate perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills. Analyses will employ mixed methods repeated ANOVA tests. Qualitative analyses through semi-structured interviews and participant observation will be used to assess participants’ experiences. Study outcomes include: (A) feasibility and acceptability compared to a waitlist control (B) stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (C) anxiety, and depression, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); (D) insomnia, quality of life and mindfulness skills, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Forms (FFMQ-SF), respectively. We will also measure immersive tendencies, sickness and sense of presence using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Presence Questionnaire (PQ). Discussion: Virtual reality-guided meditation could be an acceptable, feasible, safe, and cost-effective novel alternative health intervention for improving older adults’ mental health. Clinical trial registration: NCT05315609 at https://clinicaltrials.gov. Copyright © 2023 Cinalioglu, Lavín, Bein, Lesage, Gruber, Se, Bukhari, Sasi, Noble, Andree-Bruneau, Launay, Sanders, Gauthier, Rosa, Lifshitz, Battistini, Beauchet, Khoury, Bouchard, Fallavollita, Vahia, Rej and Sekhon.},
note = {Publisher: Frontiers Media SA},
keywords = {Anxiety, Depression, meditation, mindfulness, older adults, virtual reality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health. Methods: We will recruit 30 participants aged ≥ 60 years, whose perceived stress score (PSS) is > 14 (moderate stress), and randomize them 1:1 to the intervention or control waitlist group. The intervention will involve exposure to eight 15-min VR-guided meditation sessions distributed twice weekly for 4-weeks. Two modalities will be offered: in-home and at the hospital. Data analysis: Baseline and post-intervention assessments will evaluate perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills. Analyses will employ mixed methods repeated ANOVA tests. Qualitative analyses through semi-structured interviews and participant observation will be used to assess participants’ experiences. Study outcomes include: (A) feasibility and acceptability compared to a waitlist control (B) stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (C) anxiety, and depression, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); (D) insomnia, quality of life and mindfulness skills, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Forms (FFMQ-SF), respectively. We will also measure immersive tendencies, sickness and sense of presence using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Presence Questionnaire (PQ). Discussion: Virtual reality-guided meditation could be an acceptable, feasible, safe, and cost-effective novel alternative health intervention for improving older adults’ mental health. Clinical trial registration: NCT05315609 at https://clinicaltrials.gov. Copyright © 2023 Cinalioglu, Lavín, Bein, Lesage, Gruber, Se, Bukhari, Sasi, Noble, Andree-Bruneau, Launay, Sanders, Gauthier, Rosa, Lifshitz, Battistini, Beauchet, Khoury, Bouchard, Fallavollita, Vahia, Rej and Sekhon.
4.
Cinalioglu, K.; Lavín, P.; Bein, M.; Lesage, M.; Gruber, J.; Se, J.; Bukhari, S.; Sasi, N.; Noble, H.; Andree-Bruneau, M.; Launay, C.; Sanders, J.; Gauthier, S.; Rosa, P.; Lifshitz, M.; Battistini, B. J.; Beauchet, O.; Khoury, B.; Bouchard, S.; Fallavollita, P.; Vahia, I.; Rej, S.; Sekhon, H.
Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 2023, ISSN: 16641078 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Anxiety, Depression, meditation, mindfulness, older adults, virtual reality
@article{cinaliogluEffectsVirtualReality2023,
title = {Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial},
author = {K. Cinalioglu and P. Lavín and M. Bein and M. Lesage and J. Gruber and J. Se and S. Bukhari and N. Sasi and H. Noble and M. Andree-Bruneau and C. Launay and J. Sanders and S. Gauthier and P. Rosa and M. Lifshitz and B. J. Battistini and O. Beauchet and B. Khoury and S. Bouchard and P. Fallavollita and I. Vahia and S. Rej and H. Sekhon},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85167920206&doi=10.3389%2ffpsyg.2023.1083219&partnerID=40&md5=e5bae2e2f286bca584f893ad57387285},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1083219},
issn = {16641078 (ISSN)},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
volume = {14},
publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
abstract = {Background: Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health. Methods: We will recruit 30 participants aged ≥ 60 years, whose perceived stress score (PSS) is > 14 (moderate stress), and randomize them 1:1 to the intervention or control waitlist group. The intervention will involve exposure to eight 15-min VR-guided meditation sessions distributed twice weekly for 4-weeks. Two modalities will be offered: in-home and at the hospital. Data analysis: Baseline and post-intervention assessments will evaluate perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills. Analyses will employ mixed methods repeated ANOVA tests. Qualitative analyses through semi-structured interviews and participant observation will be used to assess participants’ experiences. Study outcomes include: (A) feasibility and acceptability compared to a waitlist control (B) stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (C) anxiety, and depression, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); (D) insomnia, quality of life and mindfulness skills, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Forms (FFMQ-SF), respectively. We will also measure immersive tendencies, sickness and sense of presence using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Presence Questionnaire (PQ). Discussion: Virtual reality-guided meditation could be an acceptable, feasible, safe, and cost-effective novel alternative health intervention for improving older adults’ mental health. Clinical trial registration: NCT05315609 at https://clinicaltrials.gov. Copyright © 2023 Cinalioglu, Lavín, Bein, Lesage, Gruber, Se, Bukhari, Sasi, Noble, Andree-Bruneau, Launay, Sanders, Gauthier, Rosa, Lifshitz, Battistini, Beauchet, Khoury, Bouchard, Fallavollita, Vahia, Rej and Sekhon.},
keywords = {Anxiety, Depression, meditation, mindfulness, older adults, virtual reality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health. Methods: We will recruit 30 participants aged ≥ 60 years, whose perceived stress score (PSS) is > 14 (moderate stress), and randomize them 1:1 to the intervention or control waitlist group. The intervention will involve exposure to eight 15-min VR-guided meditation sessions distributed twice weekly for 4-weeks. Two modalities will be offered: in-home and at the hospital. Data analysis: Baseline and post-intervention assessments will evaluate perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills. Analyses will employ mixed methods repeated ANOVA tests. Qualitative analyses through semi-structured interviews and participant observation will be used to assess participants’ experiences. Study outcomes include: (A) feasibility and acceptability compared to a waitlist control (B) stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (C) anxiety, and depression, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); (D) insomnia, quality of life and mindfulness skills, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Forms (FFMQ-SF), respectively. We will also measure immersive tendencies, sickness and sense of presence using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Presence Questionnaire (PQ). Discussion: Virtual reality-guided meditation could be an acceptable, feasible, safe, and cost-effective novel alternative health intervention for improving older adults’ mental health. Clinical trial registration: NCT05315609 at https://clinicaltrials.gov. Copyright © 2023 Cinalioglu, Lavín, Bein, Lesage, Gruber, Se, Bukhari, Sasi, Noble, Andree-Bruneau, Launay, Sanders, Gauthier, Rosa, Lifshitz, Battistini, Beauchet, Khoury, Bouchard, Fallavollita, Vahia, Rej and Sekhon.