Feasibility and efficacy of the indoor cognitive training combined physical activity (ICT‐PA) program using wearable sensor and mobile device in subjects with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundWe developed the Indoor Cognitive Training combined Physical Activity (ICT‐PA) program using wearable sensor for location information. ICT‐PA consists of 1) memory registration of some specific indoor locations using a tablet device, 2) navigating those locations in order and recognition by Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags installed at each of the above words, and 3) recall images placed together at each of the above recognition tags. ICT‐PA aimed to enhance 1) cognitive function by combining verbal/visual memory training and visuospatial navigation training and 2) indoor physical activities by walking during this sequential training. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of ICT‐PA in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodForty‐three participants aged over 60 years old and diagnosed with MCI participated in the intervention program of 6 weeks. Feasibility was evaluated by checking the satisfaction of the participants with a 5‐point Likert scale. The efficacy of the program on cognitive functions was evaluated by the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery total score (CERAD‐TS) and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) before and after ICT‐PA. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03928613)ResultThirty‐six participants completed both pre‐ and post‐ICT‐PA assessment. The overall satisfaction score was 7.7±1.6 out of 10. The mean CERAD‐TS scores significantly increased after ICT‐PA training (pre, 57.3 ± 11.3; post, 60.3 ± 13.1; p=0.006, paired t‐test), but MMSE did not. Subgroup analysis by compliance (equal to greater than 360 minutes of total use of the ICT‐PA) showed that the compliance group (N=26) improved the CERAD‐TS score (pre, 58.5 ± 11.7; post, 62.7 ± 12.9; p=0.002, paired t‐test), but non‐compliance group did not.ConclusionICT‐PA was effective in improving cognition and was well tolerated by most participants with MCI. Further studies with large numbers of participants and randomized controlled trial are necessary, and the use of at least 60 minutes per week might be suggested. (This work was supported by Institute for Information & communications Technology Promotion (IITP) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No.2017‐0‐00662, Development of Smart Care system for Dementia Patients based on ICT)).