⚡ Quick Summary
The study evaluated the ADL+ digital toolkit, which integrates cognitive assessments and multidomain interventions, demonstrating significant improvements in cognitive function, activity levels, and quality of life among older adults at risk of cognitive decline. With a high adherence rate and positive usability feedback, this toolkit shows promise for future applications in dementia prevention. 🌟
🔍 Key Details
- 👥 Participants: Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above with subjective memory complaints.
- 🛠️ Intervention: Six-month app-based cognitive training and personalized recommendations for nutrition, physical, and social activities.
- 📊 Control Group: Cognitive health educational package.
- 📈 Primary Outcome: Change in neuropsychological test battery (NTB) Z-scores.
- 📅 Follow-up: Outcomes assessed at six months and three months post-intervention.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📈 Significant improvement in NTB composite scores for the intervention group (mean change: 0.086).
- 🧠 Enhanced cognitive domains: Attention, processing speed, and memory showed notable improvements.
- ⏳ Sustained benefits in processing speed observed at nine months post-intervention.
- 📉 Control group experienced a decline in activity levels (mean change: -1.04).
- 🌟 Quality of life improved for the intervention group, with EQ-5D VAS scores increasing significantly.
- ✅ High adherence rates: 96% in the intervention group completed the study.
- 💻 Positive usability feedback indicates user-friendliness of the ADL+ toolkit.
- 🔍 Future implications for randomized controlled trials and broader implementation efforts.
📚 Background
As the global population ages, the risk of cognitive decline and dementia becomes increasingly pressing. Current research emphasizes the need to address multiple risk factors simultaneously to effectively combat this complex issue. However, there is a notable lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of technology-driven, multidomain interventions in community settings. The ADL+ toolkit aims to fill this gap by leveraging artificial intelligence to provide tailored interventions for older adults.
🗒️ Study
This quasi-experimental study involved community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above who exhibited subjective memory complaints. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving the ADL+ intervention, which included app-based cognitive training and personalized recommendations, and a control group that received a cognitive health educational package. The study aimed to assess the impact of these interventions on cognitive function, activity levels, and quality of life over a six-month period, with follow-up assessments conducted three months later.
📈 Results
The results were promising, with the intervention group showing a significant improvement in NTB composite scores (mean change: 0.086) compared to the control group. Notably, improvements were observed in specific cognitive domains such as attention, processing speed, and memory. The intervention group maintained stable activity levels, while the control group experienced a decline. Additionally, quality of life, as measured by EQ-5D VAS scores, improved significantly for the intervention group at both six and nine months.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The findings from this study suggest that the ADL+ toolkit could play a crucial role in preventing cognitive decline among older adults. By addressing cognitive, physical, and nutritional aspects simultaneously, this digital intervention has the potential to enhance overall well-being and quality of life. The high adherence rates and positive usability feedback indicate that such technology-driven solutions could be effectively integrated into community health initiatives, paving the way for future randomized controlled trials and broader implementation efforts.
🔮 Conclusion
The ADL+ digital toolkit represents a significant advancement in the fight against cognitive decline in older adults. With its focus on multidomain interventions and the integration of AI, this approach not only improves cognitive function but also enhances activity levels and quality of life. As we look to the future, continued research and development in this area could lead to transformative changes in how we support aging populations. Let’s embrace the potential of technology in promoting cognitive health! 🚀
💬 Your comments
What are your thoughts on the use of digital toolkits like ADL+ for preventing cognitive decline? We’d love to hear your insights! 💬 Please share your comments below or connect with us on social media:
ADL+: A Digital Toolkit for Multidomain Cognitive, Physical, and Nutritional Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current research highlights the importance of addressing multiple risk factors concurrently to tackle the complex etiology of dementia. However, limited evidence exists on the efficacy of technology-driven, multidomain community-based interventions for preventing cognitive decline.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of ADL+, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital toolkit integrating cognitive assessments and multidomain interventions, on outcomes of cognitive function, activity levels, and quality of life in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. Adherence and usability were also evaluated.
METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental study including community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above without dementia, but with subjective memory complaints (AD8 score ≥ 2). Participants received a six-month intervention (app-based cognitive training, personalized nutritional, physical, and social activities recommendations) or a control group treatment (cognitive health educational package). The primary outcome was a change in neuropsychological test battery (NTB) Z-scores (NTB composite and its individual domains: attention, processing speed, memory, and executive function). Secondary outcomes were activity levels (Frenchay Activities Index, FAI), and quality of life (EQ-5D). Outcomes were assessed at the end of the intervention and three months post-intervention using linear mixed-effects models.
RESULTS: 96% of participants in the intervention and 89% in the control group completed the study. At six months, the intervention group showed a significant NTB composite score improvement (mean change: 0.086 (95% CI 0.020 to 0.15)), with a between-group difference of 0.17 (95% CI 0.071 to 0.27). Significant differences in attention, processing speed, and memory domains were observed, with benefits sustained in the processing speed domain at nine months. The control group’s FAI scores declined at six months (mean change: -1.04 (95% CI -1.83 to -0.26)), while the intervention group’s scores remained stable. The intervention group’s EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) scores improved at both six and nine months, with between-group differences of 4.06 (95% CI 0.23 to 7.90) at six months and 5.12 (95% CI 0.81 to 9.43) at nine months. Adherence was high, while average usability scores were obtained.
CONCLUSIONS: The ADL+ toolkit shows potential beneficial effects on cognitive function, activity levels, and quality of life for older adults at risk of cognitive decline. Findings will guide future randomized controlled trials and implementation efforts.
Author: [‘Chew J’, ‘Zeng Z’, ‘Tan THB’, ‘Chew P’, ‘Ali N’, ‘Wang H’, ‘Ong M’, ‘Raymond R’, ‘Pek K’, ‘Wang D’, ‘Zhang L’, ‘Shen Z’, ‘Leung C’, ‘Chin JJ’, ‘Lim WS’, ‘Miao C’]
Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Citation: Chew J, et al. ADL+: A Digital Toolkit for Multidomain Cognitive, Physical, and Nutritional Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. ADL+: A Digital Toolkit for Multidomain Cognitive, Physical, and Nutritional Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. 2024; 22:(unknown pages). doi: 10.3390/ijerph22010042