MindMate: A single case experimental design study of a reminder system for people with dementia

Abstract

Prospective memory difficulties are commonly reported in people with dementia. The evidence supporting the use of prospective memory devices among the dementia population remains limited. MindMate is a recently developed smart device application that aims to support individuals with a diagnosis of dementia, improving self-management skills and quality of life. This study investigated the effectiveness and usability of the reminder tool on the MindMate application as a memory aid. Three participants with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease were recruited to this multiple baseline single case experimental design study. Partners of the participants recorded their performance on everyday tasks on weekly monitoring forms during a baseline phase (between five and seven weeks) and during the intervention phase (five weeks) whilst using MindMate. Two participants successfully used the app throughout the intervention weeks and gave positive usability ratings. Tau-U analysis showed a significant increase in memory performance between baseline and intervention phase (Tau-U = 1, 0.94, p<0.01). A third participant withdrew from the intervention phase following difficulties turning off the reminders and frustrations with the reminder alert sound. For two of the three participants, use of MindMate was feasible and effective in supporting remembering of everyday tasks compared to practice as usual.

Assistive Technologies in Dementia Care: An Updated Analysis of the Literature

“…The App has been evaluated arranging simple tasks, such as “call the researcher,” which people with dementia had to pursue at scheduled times. After 5 weeks of intervention, MindMate showed benefits on the prospective memory of the PWD (McGoldrick et al, 2019 ). Other devices that are used to sustain prospective memories are pill dispensers.…”

Intelligent Sensing Technologies for the Diagnosis, Monitoring and Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

“…McGoldrick et al [ 53 ] evaluated an application ‘MindMate’ that was developed to help and support people with later stages of Alzheimer’s (dementia). It was developed to assist in memory tasks by using reminders.…”

“…In the case of self-contained devices, the assistance is provided by sending reminder alerts for tasks and medicine [ 53 ] or using robots that are equipped with various sensors such as cameras, temperature sensors, distance sensors, motion sensors, sensing the environment and using Natural Language Processing to interact with the patients [ 52 ]. There are commercial robots present for the aid of Alzheimer’s patients; one such example is PARO (a seal robot).…”

“…Moreover, in [ 39 ], although the system alerts the caregivers of the risky behaviour of the AD patient, the acceptability and usability rate were 50% and 30% which is quite low. The application used in [ 53 ] as a reminder of medicine also deals with only 3 AD patients of which one left the study due to agitation experienced by the reminders generated by the application.…”

“…The handheld devices either use a simple apparatus, mobile applications or virtual assistants that guide the patients in various ways through their therapies. Studies such as [ 50 , 53 ] aid the patient through automatic exercises for visio-motor coordination therapy, cognitive exercises or alerts aiding in memory. The smart robotic dog and the music player [ 55 , 57 ] also provide emotional support through music therapy.…”