Effect of A Smartphone Application Intervention on Improving Brain Functions: A Pretest-Posttest Pilot Study

The prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Literature has shown that older adults with mild cognitive impairments struggle with decision making, daily activity performing, and even medication management. The objective of this project is to improve older adults’ brain functions and strengthen the tie to their support system through collaborating with community-based organizations to test the effectiveness of a smartphone application (app) intervention. This app has three activities: (i) handwriting, (ii) age-friendly tai-chi and Meditation, and (iii) prayer reading that will advance experience-based neural changes. Another highlighted feature is to allow app users to share images with their formal and informal caregivers and enhance meaningful interactions between them. The project team will recruit 20 pairs of seniors aged 50+ and their primary source of assistance which could be their spouses, nursing aids, or children. User satisfaction will also be surveyed to improve the interface of the app with human users. Project Impact. It would be a major advance in the utilization of technology to enhance seniors’ brain functions and social connections, and subsequently improve their quality of life. Improved health would also substantially reduce their needs for costly, avoidable health care.