A Pilot Study of the Effects of Individualized Home Dual Task Training by Mobile Health Technology in People with Dementia

Eduardo Villamil-Cabello, Mercedes Meneses-Domínguez, Ángela Fernández-Rodríguez, Patricia Ontoria-Álvarez, Alfonso Jiménez-Gutiérrez and Miguel Fernández-del-Olmo ()
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Eduardo Villamil-Cabello: Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain
Mercedes Meneses-Domínguez: AFA Coslada, 28822 Madrid, Spain
Ángela Fernández-Rodríguez: Instituto Cántabro de Servicios Sociales, 39006 Cantabria, Spain
Patricia Ontoria-Álvarez: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, 39011 Cantabria, Spain
Alfonso Jiménez-Gutiérrez: Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain
Miguel Fernández-del-Olmo: Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of dual-task training implemented by mobile health technology on performance on motor and dual-task tests in subjects with dementia. Nineteen subjects with a medical diagnosis of dementia were assigned to an experimental group (EG, n = 12) or control group (CG, n = 7). The EG participated in 24 sessions (3/week) of a homebase dual-task exercises program, in addition to their ongoing cognitive and physiotherapy treatment. The training program was implemented individually in the patient’s home by caregivers or relatives through electronic devices controlled by a mobile application. Before (Pre) and after (Post) the program, performance on motor and motor/cognitive (dual-task) tests were evaluated. Motor evaluation included gait at preferred and maximal speed, the Up and Go, and the Handgrip Strength test. Dual-task tests included gait with subtraction 3 s from 100 and naming animals (verbal fluency). The CG only performed the evaluations in addition to their cognitive and physiotherapy treatment. The statistical analysis (ANOVA Group*Test) showed a statically significant improvement for both dual-task tests in the EG after the training program, while the CG showed an impairment in the verbal fluency test. Conclusion: the implementation of a home exercise program carried out with mobile technology in people with dementia is feasible and positively affects their performance on dual tasks.

Keywords: mobile health technology; dual-task; homebase training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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