Rights statement: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Aging and Mental Health on 30/03/2022, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of non-directed computer-use behaviours in the home can indicate early cognitive impairment
T2 - A proof of principle longitudinal study
AU - Stringer, Gemma
AU - Couth, Samuel
AU - Heuvelman, Hein
AU - Bull, Christopher
AU - Gledson, Ann
AU - Keane, John
AU - Rayson, Paul
AU - Sutcliffe, Alistair
AU - Sawyer, Peter Harvey
AU - Zeng, Xiao-Jun
AU - Montaldi, Daniela
AU - Brown, Laura J. E.
AU - Leroi, Iracema
N1 - This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Aging and Mental Health on 30/03/2022, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946
PY - 2023/1/28
Y1 - 2023/1/28
N2 - Objectives: Computer-use behaviours can provide useful information about an individual’s cognitive and functional abilities. However, little research has evaluated unaided and non-directed home computer-use. In this proof of principle study, we explored whether computer-use behaviours recorded during routine home computer-use i) could discriminate between individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI); ii) were associated with cognitive and functional scores; and iii) changed over time. Methods: Thirty-two participants with SCD (n = 18) or MCI (n = 14) (mean age = 72.53 years; female n = 19) participated in a longitudinal study in which their in-home computer-use behaviour was passively recorded over 7–9 months. Cognitive and functional assessments were completed at three time points: baseline; mid-point (4.5 months); and end point (month 7 to 9). Results: Individuals with MCI had significantly slower keystroke speed and spent less time on the computer than individuals with SCD. More time spent on the computer was associated with better task switching abilities. Faster keystroke speed was associated with better visual attention, recall, recognition, task inhibition, and task switching. No significant change in computer-use behaviour was detected over the study period. Conclusion: Passive monitoring of computer-use behaviour shows potential as an indicator of cognitive abilities, and can differentiate between people with SCD and MCI. Future studies should attempt to monitor computer-use behaviours over a longer time period to capture the onset of cognitive decline, and thus could inform timely therapeutic interventions. Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946.
AB - Objectives: Computer-use behaviours can provide useful information about an individual’s cognitive and functional abilities. However, little research has evaluated unaided and non-directed home computer-use. In this proof of principle study, we explored whether computer-use behaviours recorded during routine home computer-use i) could discriminate between individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI); ii) were associated with cognitive and functional scores; and iii) changed over time. Methods: Thirty-two participants with SCD (n = 18) or MCI (n = 14) (mean age = 72.53 years; female n = 19) participated in a longitudinal study in which their in-home computer-use behaviour was passively recorded over 7–9 months. Cognitive and functional assessments were completed at three time points: baseline; mid-point (4.5 months); and end point (month 7 to 9). Results: Individuals with MCI had significantly slower keystroke speed and spent less time on the computer than individuals with SCD. More time spent on the computer was associated with better task switching abilities. Faster keystroke speed was associated with better visual attention, recall, recognition, task inhibition, and task switching. No significant change in computer-use behaviour was detected over the study period. Conclusion: Passive monitoring of computer-use behaviour shows potential as an indicator of cognitive abilities, and can differentiate between people with SCD and MCI. Future studies should attempt to monitor computer-use behaviours over a longer time period to capture the onset of cognitive decline, and thus could inform timely therapeutic interventions. Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946.
KW - Dementia
KW - cognitive function
KW - computer-use
KW - instrumental activities of daily living
KW - mild cognitive impairment
U2 - 10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946
DO - 10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946
M3 - Journal article
VL - 27
SP - 193
EP - 202
JO - Aging and Mental Health
JF - Aging and Mental Health
SN - 1360-7863
IS - 1
ER -