I-CONECT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES. (8th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dodge, Hiroko H; Kaye, Jeffrey; Goodrich, Elena; Lindsley, Jacob; MacDonald, Mattie; Mattek, Nora; Asgari, Meysam; Silbert, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 3(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S224
• Page End: S224
• Publication Date: 2019-11-08
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: In our previous NIH-funded randomized controlled behavioral clinical trial, we developed a conversation-based social interaction cognitive stimulation protocol delivered by trained interviewers through webcams and a user-friendly interactive Internet interface. Daily 30 minute face-to-face video-chats were conducted for 6 weeks. Despite a short duration, this proof of concept study demonstrated high adherence among older adults (mean age 80 years) and showed improvement in cognitive domains which tap language-based executive functions and semantic memory among the experimental group compared to the control group who did not engage in any video-chats. Building on these results, we are now conducting two NIH-funded projects (https://www.i-conect.org ), targeting socially isolated older adults who are less likely to participate in clinical trials despite their high risk of cognitive decline. In this presentation, we introduce a series of projects outlined above and share the challenges and opportunities identified in our behavioral intervention trials focused on social interaction.