Mobility assessment in people with Alzheimer disease using smartphone sensors

Abstract

Background Understanding the functional status of people with Alzheimer Disease (AD), both in a single (ST) and cognitive dual task (DT) activities is essential for identifying signs of early-stage neurodegeneration. This study aims to compare the performance quality of several tasks using sensors embedded in an Android device, among people at different stages of Alzheimer and people without dementia. The secondary aim is to analyze the effect of cognitive task performance on mobility tasks. Methods This is a cross-sectional study including 22 participants in the control group (CG), 18 in the group with mild AD and 22 in the group with moderate AD. They performed two mobility tests , under ST and DT conditions, which were registered using an Android device. Postural control was measured by medial-lateral and anterior-posterior displacements of the COM ( MLDisp and APDisp , respectively) and gait, with the vertical and medial-lateral range of the COM ( Vrange and MLrange ). Further, the sit-to-stand ( PStand ) and turning and sit power ( PTurnSit ), the total time required to complete the test and the reaction time were measured. Results There were no differences between the two AD stages either for ST or DT in any of the variables ( p > 0.05). Nevertheless, people at both stages showed significantly lower values of PStand and PTurnSit and larger Total time and Reaction time compared to CG ( p < 0.05). Further, Vrange is also lower in CDR1G than in CG ( p < 0.05). The DT had a significant deleterious effect on MLDisp in all groups ( p < 0.05) and on APDisp only in moderate AD for DT. Conclusions Our findings indicate that AD patients present impairments in some key functional abilities, such as gait, turning and sitting, sit to stand, and reaction time, both in mild and moderate AD. Nevertheless, an exclusively cognitive task only influences the postural control in people with AD.

Innovative motor and cognitive dual-task approaches combining upper and lower limbs may improve dementia early detection

“…In conclusion, even if the core MCI’s hallmark is the cognitive impairment, several studies found that also motor dysfunctions can occur 12 , 18 . The use of motor parameters as reliable information on cognitive subjects’ status represents an emerging research point and notably, it has been proven to be advantageous in identifying several typologies of MCI, both regarding the etiology (MCDT paradigms successfully have been adopted as well in Parkinson’s disease 19 as in Alzheimer’s disease 20 , 21 ), or the neurocognitive domains involved. In fact, such an approach has proven to be appropriate both with amnestic or non-amnestic-MCI 22 and even comparing amnestic-MCI-single domain vs amnesitc-MCI-multiple domain 14 .…”

Understanding Social Behaviour in a Health-Care Facility from Localization Data: A Case Study

“…We propose the Community behaviour Prediction Table (CBPT) (see Figure 5), a visual tool combining the predictive models to support caregivers in organizing activities at Il Paese Ritrovato. This table provides the predicted value of the Community Time-Specific RI and the PI for each place for three times of the day: morning (8)(9)(10)(11)(12), noon (12)(13)(14)(15) and afternoon (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). One of the possible ways to use the CBPT is to first observe the Community RI prediction and filter out the activities not suitable for its value.…”

“…Even if the available literature on the usage of localization sensors to support AD care has been mostly directed at mobility assessment [ 19 ], the well-being of a person is affected also by his/her social activities. According to Levasseur et al [ 20 ], social activity can be defined as being with others, interacting with others and participating in common activities.…”

Evidence of Neuroplasticity Due to Acupuncture: An fNIRS Study

“…Neurological injuries and diseases are the major causes of the degradation of people's mental capabilities, and they can be treated via rehabilitation. One of the signi cant brain diseases is Alzheimer's disease (AD) [1]. AD starts with mild memory loss and eventually becomes severe, and it can develop into a neurodegenerative brain disease.…”