JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) in general and smartphones and tablets, in particular, are promising technologies to increase the quality of life of people dementia or mild cognitive impairment (PwD/MCI) and their caregivers. However, there are barriers to their use associated with age, educational level and with negative attitudes and poor knowledge about technologies.

Objective:

Analyse the attitudes towards new technologies (technophilia) and the use of smartphones and tablets and factors associated with PwD/MCI and their caregivers.

Methods:

Data from the first visit of the SMART4MD randomized multicenter clinical trial (NCT03325699) was used. Data came from 2 European countries: Spain and Sweden, and 3 participant centers: Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain), Servicio Andaluz de Salud (Andalusia, Spain) and Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden). Participants with a score between 20-28 in the MMSE, with memory problems (more than 6 months) and with an age > 55 and their caregivers were included. Bivariate chi-square and Mann-Whitney test, and multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used.

Results:

1086 dyads were included (N=2172). 28.5% of PwD/MCI had a diagnosis of dementia. 54.4% of PwD/MCI used almost every day smartphones and tablets and 35.1% internet. 9.8% used specific applications (apps) or software to support their memory. 79.0% of caregivers used almost everyday smartphones and tablets and a 67.1% internet. 16.8% of caregivers use specific apps or software to support memory. There was a lower level of technophilia in PwD/MCI in comparison to caregivers after adjusting by confounders (p= 0.021) with differences in Tech Enthusiasm (p=0.011) but not in Tech Anxiety (p=0.319). Technophilia was associated with lower age, male gender, higher educational level, country of residence (Sweden vs. Spain), lower depression and better health status in PwD/MCI. In caregivers, technophilia was associated with caregiver burden and comparable factors to PwD/MCI.

Conclusions:

Technophilia was associated with a better quality of life and sociodemographic variables in PwD/MCI and in caregivers suggesting potential barriers for technological interventions. The use of smartphones and tablets is frequent in PwD/MCI but the use of specific apps or software to support memory is limited. Interventions using these technologies need to overcome barriers in this population related to sociodemographic characteristics and lack of enthusiasm for new technologies. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03325699; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03325699