Effects of Tracking Technology on Daily Life of Persons With Dementia: Three Experimental Single-Case Studies. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olsson, Annakarin; Engström, Maria; Åsenlöf, Pernilla; Skovdahl, Kirsti; Lampic, Claudia
• Is Part Of: American journal of Alzheimer's disease & other dementias. Volume 30:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Alzheimer's -- dementia -- experimental single-case study -- information and communication technology -- outdoors -- tracking technology; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Alzheimer's disease -- Patients -- Care -- United States -- Periodicals; 616.83
• DOI: 10.1177/1533317514531441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1533-3175

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of using tracking technology on independent outdoor activities and psychological well-being in 3 persons with dementia (PwDs) and their spouses. Methods: Three experimental single-case studies with an A1 B1 A2 B2 design. The intervention entailed access to a passive positioning alarm and technical support. Continual daily measures of independent outdoor activities among PwDs' and spouses' worries about these activities were made during all phases. Results: Access to a tracking technology consistently increased the independent outdoor activities of 2 PwDs. One of the spouses consistently reported decreased worry during B phases, another's worry decreased only in B2, and the third showed little variability in worrying across all phases. Conclusion: Tracking technology may support PwDs to engage in independent outdoor activities and decrease spouses' worries; however, randomized controlled group studies are needed to investigate whether these results can be replicated on a group level.