Evaluation of cognitive performance and daily life activities in dementia patients with online cognitive tracking and exercise application

Abstract Background BEYNEX (version 2.0) is an online application for tracking cognitive abilities using gamified follow‐up tests designed in eight different cognitive categories by Neurologists and psychologists. In this study, we aimed to determine and monitor the cognitive level of the person using this application by establishing an early alarm system, and to evaluate their relationship with daily living activities. Method Our study was designed as multicenter and prospective. Free codes were given to the patients to enter the BEYNEX 2.0 application. The initial cognitive evaluations of the patients who entered the application using the codes were recorded by measuring with the online SLUMS (The Saint Louis Mental Status Examination Test), and a questionnaire was presented to evaluate the activity of their life at least once every seven days. Result 265 patients aged between 58 and 75 years participated in the study. There was an increase especially in attention, language and memory scores, as the SLUMS score increased in patients with a SLUMS score above 17 (p = 0.001). No significant change was observed in speed and flexibility scores (p = 0.001). There was an increase in problem solving, memory and arithmetic scores of people with an SLUMS score below 17 as SLUMS increased (p = 0.001), but no change was observed in flexibility and language scores (p = 0.001). As the SLUMS score increases, the sleep quality of the patients, the time they spend on hobbies and social media increase in direct proportion. Conclusion Online tracking and exercise applications may act as an early warning system in terms of providing feedback to caregivers in terms of monitoring cognitive functions and allowing patients to follow themselves at an early stage, and also monitoring the ADLs of dementia patients and observing their changes over time is as important as the medical treatment given to the patient.