scholarly journals An Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy App for People With Dementia: Development and Usability Study of Thinkability

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/17105 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e17105
Author(s):  
Harleen Kaur Rai ◽  
Justine Schneider ◽  
Martin Orrell
Keyword(s):  
Public Involvement ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Mental Stimulation ◽  
Agile Approach ◽  
Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

Background There is a lack of technological resources for the mental stimulation and communication of people with dementia, which can be helpful in improving cognition and quality of life. Paper-based individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) for people with dementia has the potential to be adapted to a touchscreen format. This can improve accessibility and provide mental stimulation using interactive features. There is a need for a rigorous and systematic approach toward development, leading to improved suitability and implementation of the intervention, so that more people can benefit from its use. Objective This study aims to develop and investigate the usability of Thinkability, an iCST app that can be used by people with dementia and carers on touchscreen tablets. Methods The Medical Research Council framework for evaluating complex interventions and the Centre for eHealth Research roadmap served as frameworks for the stages of intervention and technology development. The development of the iCST app itself adopted an agile approach with elements from action research. Hence, it was developed in 3 successive sprints and was evaluated by relevant stakeholders at each sprint. Sprint 1 included 2 patient and public involvement (PPI) consultation meetings, sprint 2 included 1 PPI consultation meeting, and 4 focus groups and 10 individual interviews were organized in sprint 3. A feasibility trial is currently underway. Results The findings from each sprint were used to inform the development. Sprint 1 helped to identify the relevant evidence base and explored the attitudes of people with dementia and carers toward a potential iCST app. In sprint 2, an initial prototype was evaluated in a small PPI consultation meeting. In sprint 3, feedback was gathered through a qualitative study on the quality and perceived effectiveness of the iCST app. It was well received by people with dementia and carers. A need for more updated and personalized content was highlighted. Conclusions This study proves that an agile approach toward technology development involving all relevant stakeholders is effective in creating suitable technology. Adding to our previous knowledge of noncomputerized cognitive stimulation therapy, the release of the iCST app will make this psychosocial intervention accessible to more users worldwide.

scholarly journals An Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy App for People With Dementia: Development and Usability Study of Thinkability (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harleen Kaur Rai ◽  
Justine Schneider ◽  
Martin Orrell
Keyword(s):  
Public Involvement ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Mental Stimulation ◽  
Agile Approach ◽  
Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

BACKGROUND There is a lack of technological resources for the mental stimulation and communication of people with dementia, which can be helpful in improving cognition and quality of life. Paper-based individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) for people with dementia has the potential to be adapted to a touchscreen format. This can improve accessibility and provide mental stimulation using interactive features. There is a need for a rigorous and systematic approach toward development, leading to improved suitability and implementation of the intervention, so that more people can benefit from its use. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop and investigate the usability of Thinkability, an iCST app that can be used by people with dementia and carers on touchscreen tablets. METHODS The Medical Research Council framework for evaluating complex interventions and the Centre for eHealth Research roadmap served as frameworks for the stages of intervention and technology development. The development of the iCST app itself adopted an agile approach with elements from action research. Hence, it was developed in 3 successive <i>sprints</i> and was evaluated by relevant stakeholders at each sprint. Sprint 1 included 2 patient and public involvement (PPI) consultation meetings, sprint 2 included 1 PPI consultation meeting, and 4 focus groups and 10 individual interviews were organized in sprint 3. A feasibility trial is currently underway. RESULTS The findings from each sprint were used to inform the development. Sprint 1 helped to identify the relevant evidence base and explored the attitudes of people with dementia and carers toward a potential iCST app. In sprint 2, an initial prototype was evaluated in a small PPI consultation meeting. In sprint 3, feedback was gathered through a qualitative study on the quality and perceived effectiveness of the iCST app. It was well received by people with dementia and carers. A need for more updated and personalized content was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS This study proves that an agile approach toward technology development involving all relevant stakeholders is effective in creating suitable technology. Adding to our previous knowledge of noncomputerized cognitive stimulation therapy, the release of the iCST app will make this psychosocial intervention accessible to more users worldwide.

Exploring the feasibility of an individual cognitive stimulation therapy application and related technology for use by people with dementia and carers in Indonesia: A mixed-method study

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110180
Author(s):  
Harleen Kaur Rai ◽  
Virginia Geraldine Hanny Prasetya ◽  
Tara Puspitarini Sani ◽  
Imelda Theresia ◽  
Patricia Tumbelaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Attitudes Towards Technology ◽  
Expert Meeting ◽  
Mental Stimulation ◽  
Home Care Workers

Background Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia and can benefit cognition and quality of life. A touch-screen individualised CST (iCST) application has been developed to improve on accessibility and provide increased interactivity. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of people with dementia, carers and healthcare professionals in Indonesia towards the iCST application and related technology. Methods Four focus groups were organised: one comprising family carers ( n = 3), two comprising people with dementia and family carers ( n = 12) and one made up of family carers and home care workers ( n = 3). Participants discussed the uses of technology, tried out the iCST application and completed a usability and acceptability questionnaire. Furthermore, 21 healthcare professionals attended an expert meeting to discuss the potential of implementing the iCST application in the community. Results Attitudes towards technology were positive but lack of experience, difficulties with operating devices and a limited infrastructure to support technology were described as barriers. The iCST application was seen as an interesting tool to support mental stimulation. Compared with people with dementia, carers were more willing to use the application and rated its usability higher. Healthcare professionals were positive about the interactive features of the application and judged that it could be useful within the family context. Discussion Low-cost and low-infrastructure technology like iCST can meet the needs for stimulation of people with dementia in Indonesia and other countries. By understanding the attitudes of people with dementia and carers towards IT and their willingness to adopt technology like the iCST application, we are better placed to overcome potential obstacles to its implementation. It appears that systemic changes are needed to facilitate wider use of IT particularly in dementia care. These include needs to empower end users, strengthen access and connectivity to technology, and improve diagnostic support.

scholarly journals An evaluation of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions for people with dementia and a concomitant support group for their carers

Dementia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 985-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Bailey ◽  
Paul Kingston ◽  
Simon Alford ◽  
Louise Taylor ◽  
Edward Tolhurst
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

This research aimed to ascertain the impact of a pragmatic Cognitive Stimulation Therapy course of 10 sessions on the cognitive function of people living with dementia and whether attending a concomitant carers support group was beneficial to carers. A mixed method quasi-experimental approach was adopted; data were collected pre- and post-intervention. The quantitative arm utilised three validated questionnaires rated by the carers. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews with carers regarding their perceptions of the impact of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and the carers support group. Quantitative data analysis found no statistically significant differences within or between groups. The qualitative data demonstrated that carers perceived Cognitive Stimulation Therapy had some benefits for the people living with dementia, especially social benefits. Carers also perceived that attending the carers support group was beneficial for them in terms of gaining a better understanding of dementia, developing coping skills and having peer support. The study was limited in scale and further research with a larger sample, using direct measures of the impact of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy with people living with dementia and supplementary research exploring which characteristic of carers support groups are effective would be worthwhile.

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