Personalized Visual Mapping Assistive Technology to Improve Functional Ability in Persons With Dementia: Feasibility Cohort Study

Jessica Kelleher, Stuart Zola, Xiangqin Cui, Shiyu Chen, Caroline Gerber, Monica Willis Parker, Crystal Davis, Sidney Law, Matthew Golden, Camille P Vaughan, Jessica Kelleher, Stuart Zola, Xiangqin Cui, Shiyu Chen, Caroline Gerber, Monica Willis Parker, Crystal Davis, Sidney Law, Matthew Golden, Camille P Vaughan

Abstract

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) apps using novel visual mapping assistive technology can allow users to develop personalized maps that aid people living with cognitive impairment in the recall of steps needed to independently complete activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, toileting, and dressing.

Objective: This study aims to determine the feasibility and preliminary impact of an mHealth assistive technology app providing guidance to aid individuals living with cognitive impairment in the recall of steps to independently complete ADLs.

Methods: A total of 14 Veterans (mean age 65 SD 9.5 years; 14/14, 100% male; 10/14, 71.4% Black) and 8 non-Veterans (mean age 78, SD 10.3 years; 5/8, 62.5% male; 8/8, 100% Black) were recruited and enrolled from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA cognitive care clinics. A visual mapping software program, MapHabit, was used to generate a series of personalized visual map templates focused on ADLs created within the MapHabit app. The visual maps were accessed through a tablet device. A 19-item exit questionnaire was administered to the participants to assess perceived improvement in their functional ability after using the MapHabit system for 3 months.

Results: A total of 13 (93%) VA clinic participants and 8 (100%) non-VA clinic participants completed the 3-month study. Baseline cognitive testing indicated impaired to significantly impaired cognitive function. After 3 months of using the MapHabit system, VA clinic participants reported perceived improvement in social engagement (P=.01) and performance of ADLs (P=.05) compared to the baseline, whereas non-VA clinic participants reported improvements in the performance of ADLs (P=.02), mood (P=.04), social engagement (P=.02), and memory (P=.02). All study participants reported they would recommend the MapHabit system to a colleague, and 85% (11/14) of VA and 100% (8/8) of non-VA clinic participants reported a willingness to participate in a future study.

Conclusions: Older VA and non-VA clinic participants with cognitive impairment were willing to use an mHealth app to assist with the completion of ADLs, and they reported positive preliminary effects. A larger study is warranted to assess the efficacy in the setting of a randomized controlled trial.

Keywords: Alzheimer; activities of daily living; ageing; aging; assistive devices; assistive technologies; assistive technology; cognition; cognitive; dementia; function; impaired memory; mobile technologies; mobile technology.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: An in-kind donation of the MapHabit system was made by MapHabit, Inc. SZ and MG are current employees of MapHabit, Inc. SL served on the Advisory Board of MapHabit, Inc. The researchers do not hold a direct financial interest in the sponsors, or the product being studied.

©Jessica Kelleher, Stuart Zola, Xiangqin Cui, Shiyu Chen, Caroline Gerber, Monica Willis Parker, Crystal Davis, Sidney Law, Matthew Golden, Camille P Vaughan. Originally published in JMIR Aging (https://aging.jmir.org), 19.10.2021.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screenshots of the MapHabit system app on mobile and tablet devices.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Exit interview responses from study participants 3 months after using personalized visual maps. Non-VA: non–Veterans Affairs clinic participants; VA: Veterans Affairs clinic participants.

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