Fabio Egle
Fabio Egle
Advisors
Duration
10/2020 – 04/2021
Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a pre-condition to Alzheimer’s disease, where a person already experiences cognitive decline but not severe enough for the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimers. Currently, no treatment options are available, and MCI patients have a larger risk of developing dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is known that regular physical exercise and physical stimulation can be benecial for MCI patients [1]. Previous work has shown advantages of exergames in preventing cognitive decline [2].
Therefore, we would like to develop an exergame for this patient group. The goal is to create a game that combines physical exercise and cognitive stimulation, which can be played in the patient’s home environment. Ideally, the game can be played using the patient’s smartphone, television screen, and the motion sensors that are part of the exergame, without requiring installation.
This thesis aims to design a first version of the exergame and study its feasibility. An app will be designed that includes a game, and communicates with the motion sensors and a telelvision screen. The feasibility study will test the accuracy of the motion recordings. Finally, a small study will be performed using patients with MCI to assess the motivation for the designed game, and to see if the health state of the patients benefit from playing the game.
References:
[1] Mayo Clinic: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI). https://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/mild-cognitive-impairment/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354583, retrieved on 16.03.2020
[2] Anderson-Hanley, C, Arciero PJ, et al. Exergaming and older adult cognition: a cluster randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2012.