Feasibility of personalized visual mapping assistive technology to improve functional ability in persons with dementia (Preprint)

BACKGROUND MapHabit™ is a novel mobile assistive technology health application that allows users to develop personalized maps that aid people living with cognitive impairment in the recall of steps needed to independently complete activities of daily living (ADLs). OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility and preliminary impact of a mobile health assistive technology application providing guidance to aid in the recall of steps to complete ADLs. METHODS Fourteen Veterans (100% male, age 65 ± 9.5 years, 71% Black) and eight non-Veterans (62.5% male, age 78 ± 10.3 years, 100% Black) participants were recruited and enrolled from VA and Non-VA cognitive care clinics. A visual mapping software program was used to generate a series of personalized visual map templates focused on ADLs created within the MapHabit application. The visual maps were accessed through a mobile tablet device. A 19-item exit questionnaire assessed perceived improvement in functional ability after using the MapHabit system for three months. RESULTS Thirteen VA clinic participants (93%) and eight (100%) non-VA clinic participants completed the three-month study. Baseline cognitive testing indicated impaired to significantly impaired cognitive function. After three months of using the MapHabit system, VA clinic participants reported perceived improvement in social engagement (P=0.01) and performance of ADL’s (P=0.05) compared to baseline, while non-VA clinic participants reported improvements in performance of ADL’s (P=0.02), mood (P=0.04), social engagement (P=0.02), and memory (P=0.02). All participants reported they would recommend the MapHabit system to a colleague and 85% of VA and 100% of non-VA clinic participants reported a willingness to participate in a future study. CONCLUSIONS Older VA and non-VA clinic participants with cognitive impairment were willing to use a mobile health application to assist with completion of ADL’s and reported positive preliminary effects. A larger study is warranted to assess efficacy in the setting of a randomized controlled trial.