A study using tablet technology to help people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia is recruiting participants for its second stage, following the first pilot study in 2018.

The multi-disciplinary Flinders Assistant for Memory Enhancement (FAME) project, led by the Flinders Digital Health Research Centre, started last year after it was granted seed funding in 2017.

Participants in the initial pilot were provided with an iPad and training to access a variety of functions delivered via an application. These include creating appointments using a calendar, making phone calls using an image-based contact list and undertaking daily ‘brain training’.

The second pilot of the study, which commenced in February this year, again invites applications from adults over the age of 65 who are having difficulties remembering people, appointments or tasks. Participants will undertake the daily brain training via the app combined with a variety of associated physical activities.

The study aims to:

• Examine the feasibility of delivering brain training and physical activities using a tablet-based application to assist people living with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia
• Develop and test a customisable, tablet-based software platform to deliver intervention
• Investigate the adoption of the application and its long-term usage
• Investigate the value of the application’s ‘brain training’ and ‘physical’ activity interventions

Attendance

After an initial telephone interview, participants may be invited to attend an appointment for eligibility screening, health data collection and training. At the end of the 12-week study period, an appointment will be made for final data collection and iPad handover.

iPad

Participants will be provided with an iPad and any necessary training required to enable them to confidently use the preloaded research app.

Staff are invited to view and share the study brochure or contact Dr Lua Perimal-Lewis by email or phone for further information (8201 2069).

View the Channel 7 news report on the project here.