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P3‐342: Mobile phone video streaming in Alzheimer's disease: An internet‐based scheduling system
Author(s) -
Mason Sarah,
O'Neill Sonja,
Beattie Mark,
Parente Guido,
Donnelly Mark,
Nugent Chris,
Craig David
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.1785
Subject(s) - cohort , mobile phone , dementia , phone , medicine , the internet , disease , memory clinic , cognition , gerontology , multimedia , psychology , internet privacy , computer science , psychiatry , world wide web , telecommunications , linguistics , philosophy , pathology
Background: Demographic changes highlight the need to address disabilities associated with the costly morbidities of old age such as dementia. Easy to use technological solutions offer a means of home support. This research project focuses on assisting persons with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the area of memory support through the delivery of memory cues. Specifically, an entirely novel system to permit caregivers to record video reminders for scheduled transmission over-the-air has been developed and is currently being evaluated.Methods: Semistructured interviews were used to determine the efficacy of reminders as they are delivered in the form of a video message, displayed on a mobile phone to provide a ‘virtual carer’ for the person with AD. The system was initially trialed with two control groups consisting of three young and two older users who piloted the system. Results: Users provided favorable feedback although reported negatively on volume and weight. The system was then evaluated with five cohorts (n 1⁄4 22). Cohorts 1 and 2 consisted of AD/carer couples and feedback from these informed the recruitment for cohort 3, however, technical difficulties prevented a full analysis. Following stabilization of technical issues experienced by cohort 3 it was felt that it was important to establish a stable system and that this should be first tested on healthy individuals (cohort 4), cross-checked in those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (cohort 5) and tested again with people with AD. An ABA design evaluation (n 1⁄4 9) was then employed to trial the system under a more formal setting. Following this a longitudinal trial was undertaken (n 1⁄4 10) to assess potential impact on users and carers over a longer time period. Issues surrounding battery life, delivery of messages and resistance to the intervention where found. The system was found to be as effective as normal reminding systems. Conclusions: Further field testing is required to validate technical functionality and the effectiveness of the approach as a reminding tool on a large scale and in different memory-impaired cohorts.