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Smartphone-based Experience Sampling in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Feasibility and Usability Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Daily functioning of people with cognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is usually depicted by retrospective questionnaires, which can be memory-biased and neglect fluctuations over time or contexts.
Objective:
This study examines the feasibility and usability of applying the experience sampling method (ESM) in people with MCI to provide a detailed and dynamic picture on behavioural, emotional, and cognitive patterns in everyday life.
Methods:
Twenty-one people with MCI used an ESM app on their smartphones for 6 consecutive days. At 8 semi-random timepoints per day, participants filled in momentary questionnaires on mood, activities, social context, and subjective cognitive complaints. Feasibility was determined through self-reports and observable human-technology interactions. Usability was demonstrated on an individual and group level.
Results:
Three participants dropped out as they forgot the study instructions or to carry their smartphones. In the remaining 18 individuals, compliance rate was high with 78.7%. Participants reported that momentary questions reflected their daily experiences well. 71% of the participants experienced the increased awareness of own memory functions as pleasant or neutral. Subjective cognitive functioning showed great between- and within-participant variability.
Conclusions:
Support was found for the general feasibility of smartphone-based experience sampling in people with MCI. However, many older adults with MCI are currently not in possession of smartphones and study adherence seems challenging for a minority of individuals. Momentary data can increase the insights into daily pattern and may guide the person-tailored development of self-management strategies in clinical settings. Clinical Trial: The protocol is registered on ToetsingOnline (64310).
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Copyright
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