Assessment of non-directed computer-use behaviours in the home can indicate early cognitive impairment: A proof of principle longitudinal study

Abstract

Objectives

Computer-use behaviours can provide useful information about an individual’s cognitive and functional abilities. However, little research has evaluated unaided and non-directed home computer-use. In this proof of principle study, we explored whether computer-use behaviours recorded during routine home computer-use i) could discriminate between individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI); ii) were associated with cognitive and functional scores; and iii) changed over time.

Methods

Thirty-two participants with SCD (n = 18) or MCI (n = 14) (mean age = 72.53 years; female n = 19) participated in a longitudinal study in which their in-home computer-use behaviour was passively recorded over 7–9 months. Cognitive and functional assessments were completed at three time points: baseline; mid-point (4.5 months); and end point (month 7 to 9).

Results

Individuals with MCI had significantly slower keystroke speed and spent less time on the computer than individuals with SCD. More time spent on the computer was associated with better task switching abilities. Faster keystroke speed was associated with better visual attention, recall, recognition, task inhibition, and task switching. No significant change in computer-use behaviour was detected over the study period.

Conclusion

Passive monitoring of computer-use behaviour shows potential as an indicator of cognitive abilities, and can differentiate between people with SCD and MCI. Future studies should attempt to monitor computer-use behaviours over a longer time period to capture the onset of cognitive decline, and thus could inform timely therapeutic interventions.

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946

Keywords:

• Dementia
• mild cognitive impairment
• cognitive function
• instrumental activities of daily living
• computer-use

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the participants who gave up their time to take part in this study and the Clinical Research Network (CRN) who assisted with data collection. Thanks to Thamer Badhafari and Joe Mellor for contribution to data capture. Thank you to Dan Wood for assisting with the tools for extraction, transformation and loading of the raw data.

Statement of ethics

The study was approved by the Health Research Authority - National Research Ethics Service England in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and all participants signed informed consent to participate.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the design of the study. GS and SC planned and supervised data collection and collected data. GS performed the data analysis and drafted the manuscript. HH provided statistical guidance. LB, DM, SC and IL provided methodological and statistical guidance. All authors critically reviewed and agreed on the submitted manuscript for publication.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [GS], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under Grant EP/K015796/1.