The Development and Feasibility of TECH: Tablet Enhancement of Cognition and Health, a Novel Cognitive Intervention for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Cognitive training using technology has potential to be an effective treatment method for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Touchscreen tablet applications might provide a fun and motivating way to engage in cognitive training for people with MCI. This study presents the development of TECH "Tablet Enhancement of Cognition and Health," a novel cognitive intervention utilizing touchscreen tablet applications for self-training, and we aimed to examine TECH's feasibility and satisfaction for older adults with MCI. Materials and Methods: TECH development was based on the review of research evidence to identify important demands for effective cognitive training, and discussions with occupational therapists with experience using touchscreen tablets for treating individuals with cognitive impairments. Feasibility of TECH was assessed in terms of adherence (session attendance), compliance (total self-training hours), and satisfaction from the intervention. Results: Twenty-eight community-dwelling older adults with MCI participated in the study and received TECH. Participants attended at least 80% of group sessions, they self-trained a mean (standard deviation [SD]) 20.9 (7.2) sessions for 5 weeks, mean (SD) total training time of 24.4 (11.9) hours, 4.9 h/week. Very high satisfaction with the intervention was reported by 78% of the 23 participants who filled in the questionnaire. Conclusions: The newly developed TECH intervention was found to be feasible for older adults with MCI. Participants were willing and able to perform the self-training at home, which provided a motivating cognitive leisure activity facilitated by weekly group sessions. Data are now collected to establish the effectiveness of TECH as a cognitive intervention, compared with a control group, for people with MCI.