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Use of the Medtep digital health platform in the framework of a multimodal intervention in patients with subjective cognitive decline (PENSA Study)
Author(s) -
SoldevilaDomenech Natalia,
Forcano Laura,
Otero Eduard,
Boronat Anna,
Lorenzo Thais,
Pizarro Nieves,
Knezevic Iva,
Fauria Karine,
Minguillon Carolina,
Molinuevo Jose Luis,
PaniselloRoyo Josefa M,
de la Torre Rafael
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.040447
Subject(s) - cognition , cognitive decline , mood , intervention (counseling) , attendance , dementia , psychological intervention , mhealth , cognitive training , medicine , psychology , gerontology , clinical psychology , disease , psychiatry , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background Current evidence suggests that multimodal interventions with diet, physical activity and cognitive training could prevent cognitive decline in individuals at preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease. However, maintaining subject compliance is a critical challenge for the success of studies that involve intensive behavioral changes. The PENSA Study is a clinical trial that aims to prevent cognitive decline in 200 older adults (60‐80 years) APOE‐ɛ4 carriers with subjective cognitive decline. A personalized multimodal intervention will combine with a dietary supplement enriched with epigallocatechin gallate (7mg/kg) during 12 months. To continuously monitor the adherence to the intervention and to motivate participants in engaging in healthy promoting behaviors, a digital health platform provided by Medtep has been incorporated in the PENSA Study. Methods The Medtep App collects daily information on participant’s diet, mood and social activities using ecological momentary assessments, and registers the attendance to gymnasium, cognitive stimulation and psychoeducational sessions. It also integrates measures of physical activity, heart rate, sleep quality and cognitive performance collected from an activity tracker and a cognitive training telematic platform. Researchers can control the progression of each participant and automatically personalize the intervention according to their characteristics and progression. Results During the two weeks prior to the intervention starting date, the information collected is used to establish a reliable lifestyle pre‐treatment measure and to provide each participant with a personalized plan on diet and physical activity. Throughout the intervention, participants receive personalized goals and recommendations, as well as a monthly report with feedback on their behaviors. To this end, several indexes or scores have been created based on participants’ adherence and progression on Mediterranean diet, physical activity, cognition, sleep and social health. Conclusions The use of Medtep in the PENSA study is expected to improve participants’ adherence and motivation to the intervention as they might be more aware of what they are expected to do, their strengths and weaknesses, and their progression throughout the study. Furthermore, it will be useful for researchers to track intervention compliance, to make improvements in the intervention throughout the study and to better understand longitudinal changes in behaviors and their impact on cognition.