The Efficacy of a Technology-Assisted Block Training Program on Cognitive Function, Hand Dexterity, and Grip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Research

Block-building activities represent a promising tool for enhancing cognitive and hand function in older adults. When integrated with technological support, they offer personalized training advantages; however, their comprehensive effectiveness requires empirical validation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a "Technology-Assisted Block Training Program" to explore its effects on cognitive function, hand grip strength, dexterity, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, while examining participants' subjective experiences.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Aging; Cognitive Decline; Muscle Strength; Hand Dexterity; Community-Dwelling Older Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Technology-Assisted Block Training Program

Detailed Description

In response to the aging population trend, developing evidence-based care programs for older adults has become increasingly necessary. To delay functional decline in individuals, intervention programs that combine cognitive and motor training are gaining greater attention. Manual activities such as block-building can effectively improve working memory and processing abilities. However, traditional block training and cognitive training often struggle to maintain participants' motivation and sustained engagement due to monotonous content. Therefore, technology-assisted block training has emerged as a solution, providing real-time feedback, personalized difficulty adjustment, and multi-sensory stimulation to effectively overcome the limitations of traditional training approaches and enhance participant motivation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Chia-Jung Hsieh Professor, PhD; Phone Number: Ext. 3135 886(2)2822-7101; Email: chiajung@ntunhs.edu.tw
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Yu-Ling Chen NP, PHD student; Phone Number: Ext. 3135 886(2)2822-7101; Email: vicky531366@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taiwan
    • Yilan, Taiwan, Taiwan, 260
      • Recruiting
      • Xindong Community Activity Center, Yilan City

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 65 and older
2. Mentally alert and able to communicate
3. Willing to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosed with dementia by a physician
2. Severe sensory or communication impairment
3. Hand function impairment that prevents manipulation of building blocks

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: single group; This intervention arm involves a weekly 2-hour building block course that incorporates mental rotation training components. Participants will engage in structured building block activities designed to enhance spatial reasoning abilities, with specific lesson plans focused on developing mental rotation skills through hands-on construction and manipulation of three-dimensional objects.

Behavioral: Technology-Assisted Block Training Program; This study, drawing on the theories proposed by Aguilar Ramirez et al. (2022) and Shepard and Metzler (1971), developed a mental rotation application and a corresponding block-building lesson plan. Participants then engaged in individual block-building activities, guided by the lesson plan, to train their spatial reasoning skills. Finally, the developed APP was used for mental rotation training, and its suitability and feasibility were rigorously validated through expert review and a pilot study. a. Mental Rotation Virtual Reality APP: The APP's content was validated by interdisciplinary experts (including gerontology, activity planning, cognitive training, and information technology) to ensure its appropriateness and feasibility. The APP incorporates technology-assisted elements, such as real-time feedback and personalized difficulty adjustment for the mental rotation exercises, to enhance training effectiveness and participant motivation. Furthermore, the built-in "Creative Showcase"

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)	Description: The MoCA is a 30-point cognitive screening tool with established reliability in older adults. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function. Unit of Measure: Points on a 30-point scale	Time Frame: Baseline, pre-intervention
Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test	Description: The Mental Rotation Test assesses spatial cognition. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better mental rotation ability. Unit of Measure: Number of correct responses	Baseline , pre-intervention
Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer	Description: Grip strength of each hand is measured using the Jamar dynamometer. Three trials per hand will be averaged. Higher values indicate greater grip strength. Unit of Measure: Kilograms (kg)	Baseline ,pre-intervention
Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test	Description: The Purdue Pegboard Test assesses fine motor skills and dexterity of the hands and fingers. The score reflects the number of pegs correctly placed in the allotted time. Unit of Measure: Number of pegs placed	Baseline ,pre-intervention
Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index	Description: The WHO-5 consists of five items rated on a 25-point scale. Higher scores indicate better well-being and quality of life. Unit of Measure: Points on a 25-point scale	Baseline , pre-intervention
System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS)	Description: The SUS assesses usability, learnability, and satisfaction with technology-based systems. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better usability. Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-100 scale	Baseline , pre-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)	Description: The MoCA is a 30-point cognitive screening tool with established reliability in older adults. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function. Unit of Measure: Points on a 30-point scale	Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test	Description: The Mental Rotation Test assesses spatial cognition. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better mental rotation ability. Unit of Measure: Number of correct responses	Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer	Description: Grip strength of each hand is measured using the Jamar dynamometer. Three trials per hand will be averaged. Higher values indicate greater grip strength. Unit of Measure: Kilograms (kg)	Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test	Description: The Purdue Pegboard Test assesses fine motor skills and dexterity of the hands and fingers. The score reflects the number of pegs correctly placed in the allotted time. Unit of Measure: Number of pegs placed	Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index	Description: The WHO-5 consists of five items rated on a 25-point scale. Higher scores indicate better well-being and quality of life. Unit of Measure: Points on a 25-point scale	Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS)	Description: The SUS assesses usability, learnability, and satisfaction with technology-based systems. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better usability. Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-100 scale	Immediately After the 4-week Intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 28, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 27, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 27, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 16, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 23, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): January 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 2, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 23, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of life; Cognitive function; Older adults; Grip strength; Hand dexterity; Mixed-methods research; Mental rotation; Technology-assisted block training program; Block-building activities; Spatial cognition
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction
• Other Study ID Numbers: FJU-IRB NO:C113099

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No