A natural language-based presentation of cognitive stimulation to people with dementia in assistive technology : a pilot study

Cuayahuitl, Heriberto; Dethlefs, Nina; Milders, Maarten; Cuayáhuitl, Heriberto; Al-Salkini, Turkey; Douglas, Lorraine

Abstract

Currently, an estimated 36 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. In the absence of a cure, non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive stimulation, which slow down the rate of deterioration can benefit people with dementia and their caregivers. Such interventions have shown to improve well-being and slow down the rate of cognitive decline. It has further been shown that cognitive stimulation in interaction with a computer is as effective as with a human. However, the need to operate a computer often represents a difficulty for the elderly and stands in the way of widespread adoption. A possible solution to this obstacle is to provide a spoken natural language interface that allows people with dementia to interact with the cognitive stimulation software in the same way as they would interact with a human caregiver. This makes the assistive technology accessible to users regardless of their technical skills and provides a fully intuitive user experience. This article describes a pilot study that evaluated the feasibility of computer-based cognitive stimulation through a spoken natural language interface. Prototype software was evaluated with 23 users, including healthy elderly people and people with dementia. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Citation

Cuayahuitl, H., Dethlefs, N., Milders, M., Cuayáhuitl, H., Al-Salkini, T., & Douglas, L. (2017). A natural language-based presentation of cognitive stimulation to people with dementia in assistive technology : a pilot study. Informatics for Health and Social Care, 42(4), 349-360. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538157.2016.1255627

• Acceptance Date: Nov 9, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jan 9, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 2, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 11, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2018
• Journal: Informatics for health & social care
• Print ISSN: 1753-8157
• Electronic ISSN: 1753-8165
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 349-360
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17538157.2016.1255627
• Keywords: Assistive technology; Natural language; Dementia; Cognitive stimulation
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/447022
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17538157.2016.1255627
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=imif20