Can you detect early dementia from an email? : A proof of principle study of daily computer use to detect cognitive and functional decline

Stringer, G. and Couth, S. and Brown, L.j.e. and Montaldi, D. and Gledson, A. and Mellor, J. and Sutcliffe, A. and Sawyer, P. and Keane, J. and Bull, C. and Zeng, X. and Rayson, P. and Leroi, I. (2018) Can you detect early dementia from an email? : A proof of principle study of daily computer use to detect cognitive and functional decline. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 33 (7). pp. 867-874. ISSN 0885-6230

[thumbnail of Stringer_et_al-2018-International_Journal_of_Geriatric_Psychiatry]
PDF (Stringer_et_al-2018-International_Journal_of_Geriatric_Psychiatry)
Stringer_et_al_2018_International_Journal_of_Geriatric_Psychiatry.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (220kB)

Abstract

Objective To determine whether multiple computer use behaviours can distinguish between cognitively healthy older adults and those in the early stages of cognitive decline, and to investigate whether these behaviours are associated with cognitive and functional ability. Methods Older adults with cognitive impairment (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 24) completed assessments of cognitive and functional abilities and a series of semi-directed computer tasks. Computer use behaviours were captured passively using bespoke software. Results The profile of computer use behaviours was significantly different in cognitively impaired compared with cognitively healthy control participants including more frequent pauses, slower typing, and a higher proportion of mouse clicks. These behaviours were significantly associated with performance on cognitive and functional assessments, in particular, those related to memory. Conclusion Unobtrusively capturing computer use behaviours offers the potential for early detection of neurodegeneration in non-clinical settings, which could enable timely interventions to ultimately improve long-term outcomes.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2717
Subjects:
?? alzheimer's diseasecognitive declinecomputer usedementiafunctional abilitymild cognitive impairmentgeriatrics and gerontologypsychiatry and mental health ??
ID Code:
90220
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
12 Feb 2018 12:05
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
10 Jan 2024 00:23