Using a digital tool to detect early changes in everyday functioning in older adults: A pilot study of the Assessment of Smartphone Everyday Tasks (ASSET)

Mark A. Dubbelman, Tia C. Hall, Isabella M. Levesque, Kayden J. Mimmack, Sietske A. M. Sikkes, Shira H. Fischer, Dorene M. Rentz, Reisa A. Sperling, Kathryn V. Papp, Rebecca E. Amariglio, Gad A. Marshall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the utility of a new digital tool for measuring everyday functioning in preclinical Alzheimer's disease, we piloted the Assessment of Smartphone Everyday Tasks (ASSET) application. METHODS: Forty-six participants (50.3 ± 27.1 years; 67% female; 20 young unimpaired, 17 old unimpaired, 9 mildly cognitively impaired) completed ASSET 7 times. ASSET comprises two main tasks, simulating a Patient Portal and a Calendar. We assessed ASSET's internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and user experience. RESULTS: ASSET main tasks correlated with each other (r = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.58, 0.86]). Performance on ASSET's Patient Portal related to cognition (r = 0.64, 95% CI = [0.42, 0.79]) and observer ratings of everyday functioning (r = 0.57, 95% CI = [0.24, 0.79]). Test–retest reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.87, 95% CI = [0.77, 0.93]). Most participants rated their experience with ASSET neutrally or positively. DISCUSSION: ASSET is a promising smartphone-based digital assessment of everyday functioning. Future studies may investigate its utility for early diagnosis and evaluation of treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12506
Pages (from-to)e12506
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • application
  • digital
  • everyday functioning
  • instrumental activities of daily living
  • smartphone

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