A Novel Auditory-Cognitive Training App for Delaying or Preventing the Onset of Dementia: Participatory Design With Stakeholders

Frost, Emily; Porat, Talya; Malhotra, Paresh; Picinali, Lorenzo

doi:10.2196/19880

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(27 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This exploratory study presents an early foray into the potential of speech processing in adverse conditions as a far-transfer gauge of SGCTAs. This is in line with previous studies that used gamification in cognitive decline research [ 78 - 81 ]. Results present a preliminary indicator of the SGCTA Effectivate’s potential to engender such far transfer from visual cognitive training to auditory speech processing after only a few weeks of training.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Speech Processing as a Far-Transfer Gauge of Serious Games for Cognitive Training in Aging: Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Effectivate Training

Nitsan¹,

Baharav²,

Tal-Shir³

et al. 2022

JMIR Serious Games

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The number of serious games for cognitive training in aging (SGCTAs) is proliferating in the market and attempting to combat one of the most feared aspects of aging—cognitive decline. However, the efficacy of many SGCTAs is still questionable. Even the measures used to validate SGCTAs are up for debate, with most studies using cognitive measures that gauge improvement in trained tasks, also known as near transfer. This study takes a different approach, testing the efficacy of the SGCTA—Effectivate—in generating tangible far-transfer improvements in a nontrained task—the Eye tracking of Word Identification in Noise Under Memory Increased Load (E-WINDMIL)—which tests speech processing in adverse conditions. Objective This study aimed to validate the use of a real-time measure of speech processing as a gauge of the far-transfer efficacy of an SGCTA designed to train executive functions. Methods In a randomized controlled trial that included 40 participants, we tested 20 (50%) older adults before and after self-administering the SGCTA Effectivate training and compared their performance with that of the control group of 20 (50%) older adults. The E-WINDMIL eye-tracking task was administered to all participants by blinded experimenters in 2 sessions separated by 2 to 8 weeks. Results Specifically, we tested the change between sessions in the efficiency of segregating the spoken target word from its sound-sharing alternative, as the word unfolds in time. We found that training with the SGCTA Effectivate improved both early and late speech processing in adverse conditions, with higher discrimination scores in the training group than in the control group (early processing: F1,38=7.371; P=.01; ηp2=0.162 and late processing: F1,38=9.003; P=.005; ηp2=0.192). Conclusions This study found the E-WINDMIL measure of speech processing to be a valid gauge for the far-transfer effects of executive function training. As the SGCTA Effectivate does not train any auditory task or language processing, our results provide preliminary support for the ability of Effectivate to create a generalized cognitive improvement. Given the crucial role of speech processing in healthy and successful aging, we encourage researchers and developers to use speech processing measures, the E-WINDMIL in particular, to gauge the efficacy of SGCTAs. We advocate for increased industry-wide adoption of far-transfer metrics to gauge SGCTAs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Speech Processing as a Far-Transfer Gauge of Serious Games for Cognitive Training in Aging: Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Effectivate Training

Nitsan¹,

Baharav²,

Tal-Shir³

et al. 2022

JMIR Serious Games

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Ferguson et al ( 42 ) worked closely with clinicians and hearing-aid users to develop the content and delivery approach for a series of video tutorials that support first-time hearing-aid users. Frost et al ( 43 ) developed an auditory-cognitive training application which was intended to delay the onset of dementia. Their stakeholders were clinicians from audiology and cognitive disorders specialties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Involving Children and Teenagers With Bilateral Cochlear Implants in the Design of the BEARS (Both EARS) Virtual Reality Training Suite Improves Personalization

Vickers

Salorio-Corbetto

Driver

et al. 2021

Front. Digit. Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Older children and teenagers with bilateral cochlear implants often have poor spatial hearing because they cannot fuse sounds from the two ears. This deficit jeopardizes speech and language development, education, and social well-being. The lack of protocols for fitting bilateral cochlear implants and resources for spatial-hearing training contribute to these difficulties. Spatial hearing develops with bilateral experience. A large body of research demonstrates that sound localisation can improve with training, underpinned by plasticity-driven changes in the auditory pathways. Generalizing training to non-trained auditory skills is best achieved by using a multi-modal (audio-visual) implementation and multi-domain training tasks (localisation, speech-in-noise, and spatial music). The goal of this work was to develop a package of virtual-reality games (BEARS, Both EARS) to train spatial hearing in young people (8–16 years) with bilateral cochlear implants using an action-research protocol. The action research protocol used formalized cycles for participants to trial aspects of the BEARS suite, reflect on their experiences, and in turn inform changes in the game implementations. This participatory design used the stakeholder participants as co-creators. The cycles for each of the three domains (localisation, spatial speech-in-noise, and spatial music) were customized to focus on the elements that the stakeholder participants considered important. The participants agreed that the final games were appropriate and ready to be used by patients. The main areas of modification were: the variety of immersive scenarios to cover age range and interests, the number of levels of complexity to ensure small improvements were measurable, feedback, and reward schemes to ensure positive reinforcement, and an additional implementation on an iPad for those who had difficulties with the headsets due to age or balance issues. The effectiveness of the BEARS training suite will be evaluated in a large-scale clinical trial to determine if using the games lead to improvements in speech-in-noise, quality of life, perceived benefit, and cost utility. Such interventions allow patients to take control of their own management reducing the reliance on outpatient-based rehabilitation. For young people, a virtual-reality implementation is more engaging than traditional rehabilitation methods, and the participatory design used here has ensured that the BEARS games are relevant.

show abstract

“…This process involved using methodologies already established in the market and with proven results in other research areas. After reviewing some frameworks, the ones proposed by Bulao et al [89], Frost et al [90], and Manhas [91] were selected and adapted. This selection can be justi ed by the fact that the authors follow different methodological processes, which are capable of combining Agile development with user-oriented methods.…”

Section: Objectives and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

How to develop accessible Information Systems: a practical case in tourism and proposal of a roadmap to support the development of accessible solutions

Teixeira

Eusébio

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The right to tourism and leisure has become a crucial aspect of society. In that sense, through more accessible tourism, it is possible to improve travel conditions for people with disabilities (PwD). Nonetheless, barriers still exist, with the lack of information about accessibility conditions, as well as communication accessibility itself, representing some of the main obstacles. Information systems (IS) can help overcome these hurdles. However, it is verified, that methodologies to support the development of accessible IS are currently very scarce. Thus, this study intends to develop an accessible IS for accessible tourism and propose a roadmap to support the creation of accessible IS solutions. Methods To obtain the intended accessible tourism solution, an action research methodology was followed, which involved adapting already established frameworks, that combine Agile development and user-centered design techniques. Adjustments were made to incorporate accessibility, taking into consideration the requirements of the accessible tourism market. Results In this study, a web application named access@tour by action was created. This mobile solution is capable of improving information management within the accessible tourism market. From this experimental study, a proposal for a methodological roadmap emerged. This roadmap helps better understand how to develop accessible IS, by demonstrating techniques for gathering accessibility requirements and validating them. Conclusion The access@tour by action is a much-needed solution, to enhance accessible tourism conditions. The roadmap is adaptable and suitable for IS projects involving accessibility, regardless of the area. Both results provide a better perspective on how to integrate accessibility during the development of IS, possibly supporting future researchers in creating accessible solutions.

show abstract

A Novel Auditory-Cognitive Training App for Delaying or Preventing the Onset of Dementia: Participatory Design With Stakeholders

Cited by 9 publications

References 18 publications

Speech Processing as a Far-Transfer Gauge of Serious Games for Cognitive Training in Aging: Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Effectivate Training

Speech Processing as a Far-Transfer Gauge of Serious Games for Cognitive Training in Aging: Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Effectivate Training

Involving Children and Teenagers With Bilateral Cochlear Implants in the Design of the BEARS (Both EARS) Virtual Reality Training Suite Improves Personalization

How to develop accessible Information Systems: a practical case in tourism and proposal of a roadmap to support the development of accessible solutions

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About