Assessing the Feasibility and Efficacy of Virtual Reality Navigational Training for Older Adults.

Background And Objectives: This study evaluates the feasibility of virtual reality (VR) wayfinding training with aging adults and assesses the impact of the training on wayfinding performance.

Research Design And Methods: 49 participants were recruited using a convenience sample approach. Wayfinding tasks were conducted by 3 participant groups: active VR training, passive video training, and no training, assigned randomly.

Development of the Japanese version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire: A cross-sectional validation study.

Aim: In response to the growing popularity of mobile devices among older adults in Japan, this study aimed to establish a reliable and valid measure of mobile device proficiency by developing a Japanese version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ-J) for the Japanese population.

Methods: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the MDPQ-J, we administered the questionnaire to 100 young or middle-aged participants (37.78 ± 13.

Predicting adherence to gamified cognitive training using early phase game performance data: Towards a just-in-time adherence promotion strategy.

Background And Objectives: This study aims to develop a machine learning-based approach to predict adherence to gamified cognitive training using a variety of baseline measures (demographic, attitudinal, and cognitive abilities) as well as game performance data. We aimed to: (1) identify the cognitive games with the strongest adherence prediction and their key performance indicators; (2) compare baseline characteristics and game performance indicators for adherence prediction, and (3) test ensemble models that use baseline characteristics and game performance data to predict adherence over ten weeks.

Research Design And Method: Using machine learning algorithms including logistic regression, ridge regression, support vector machines, classification trees, and random forests, we predicted adherence from weeks 3 to 12.

Prioritizing Technology Initiatives to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults.

In their insightful commentary, Kokorelias et al. (2024) explore the potential of technology in supporting aging in the right place, addressing both opportunities and challenges from individual to societal levels. Our commentary specifically focuses on recent empirical evidence for technology's benefits in enhancing social connectivity and reducing loneliness for older adults, both with and without cognitive impairments.

Predicting Adherence to Computer-Based Cognitive Training Programs Among Older Adults: Study of Domain Adaptation and Deep Learning.

Background: Cognitive impairment and dementia pose a significant challenge to the aging population, impacting the well-being, quality of life, and autonomy of affected individuals. As the population ages, this will place enormous strain on health care and economic systems. While computerized cognitive training programs have demonstrated some promise in addressing cognitive decline, adherence to these interventions can be challenging.

The Benefits of Technology for Engaging Aging Adults: Findings From the PRISM 2.0 Trial.

Background And Objectives: Technology has potential for providing support for aging adults. This study evaluated the Personal Reminder Information and Social Management 2.0 (PRISM 2.

Are Virtual Assistants Trustworthy for Medicare Information: An Examination of Accuracy and Reliability.

Background And Objectives: Advances in artificial intelligence (AI)-based virtual assistants provide a potential opportunity for older adults to use this technology in the context of health information-seeking. Meta-analysis on trust in AI shows that users are influenced by the accuracy and reliability of the AI trustee. We evaluated these dimensions for responses to Medicare queries.

Adherence Promotion With Tailored Motivational Messages: Proof of Concept and Message Preferences in Older Adults.

This study examined the feasibility of using tailored text messages to promote adherence to longitudinal protocols and determined what facets of text message tone influence motivation. Forty-three older adults ( = 73.21,  = 5.

Comparing the effectiveness of two theory-based strategies to promote cognitive training adherence.

This study compared the effectiveness of two theory-based strategies to promote cognitive training adherence among older adults ( = 70 years, = 4.42, range = 64-84). Strategies incorporated either (a) elements of implementation intention formation or (b) positive message framing, both of which have been found to promote adherence to health behaviors in other domains.

Understanding Barriers to the Collection of Mobile and Wearable Device Data to Monitor Health and Cognition in Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

Advances in technology have made continuous/remote monitoring of digital health data possible, which can enable the early detection and treatment of age-related cognitive and health declines. Using Arksey and O'Malley's methodology, this scoping review evaluated potential barriers to the collection of mobile and wearable device data to monitor health and cognitive status in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Selected articles were US based and focused on experienced or perceived barriers to the collection of mobile and wearable device data by adults 55 years of age or older.

Using Immersive Virtual Reality to Enhance Social Interaction Among Older Adults: A Cross-Site Investigation.

Background And Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) applications are increasingly being targeted toward older adults as a means to maintain physical and cognitive skills and to connect with others, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 era. Our knowledge about how older adults interact with VR is limited, however, since this is an emerging area and the related research literature is still rather slim. The current study focused specifically on older adults' reactions to a social-VR environment, examining participant's views about the possibility of meaningful interactions in this format, the impacts of social-VR immersion on mood and attitude, and features of the VR environment that affected these outcomes.

Predicting Older Adults' Continued Computer Use After Initial Adoption.

Background And Objectives: Sustained computer and internet use have the potential to help older adults in various aspects of their lives, making predicting sustained use a critical goal. However, some factors related to adoption and use (e.g.

Terms of Engagement: Understanding the Motivations, Preferences, and Attitudes of Older Adults Toward Mobile Cognitive Assessment and Training.

Background And Objectives: The future of cognitive assessment is likely to involve mobile applications for smartphones and tablets; cognitive training is also often delivered in these formats. Unfortunately, low adherence to these programs can hinder efforts at the early detection of cognitive decline and interfere with examining cognitive training efficacy in clinical trials. We explored factors that increase adherence to these programs among older adults.

Understanding older adults' attitudes toward mobile and wearable technologies to support health and cognition.

The use of technology to facilitate remote patient monitoring and virtual care is desirable due to the challenges of providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for more efficient and effective methods to care for the expanding older adult population. Further, the collection and sharing of patient generated health data (PGHD) through these technologies holds promise with respect to improving outcomes and reducing the cost of care by facilitating the early detection and treatment of cognitive and health problems. Despite the potential benefits of these technologies, their promise might be hampered by low rates of acceptance and adoption among older adults.

Deep learning-based predictions of older adults' adherence to cognitive training to support training efficacy.

As the population ages, the number of older adults experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia will increase dramatically over the next few decades. Unfortunately, cognitive changes associated with these conditions threaten independence and quality of life. To address this, researchers have developed promising cognitive training interventions to help prevent or reverse cognitive decline and cognitive impairment.

Investigating the behavioral mechanisms of action video game effects in a complex transfer task.

Over the past few decades, researchers have argued that playing action video games can substantially improve cognitive abilities and enhance learning. However, consensus has not been reached regarding the mechanisms through which action game experience facilitates superior performance on untrained perceptually and cognitively demanding transfer tasks. We argue that analysis of behaviors engaged in during transfer task performance may provide key insights into answering this question.

Older Adults' concerns regarding Hurricane-Induced evacuations during COVID-19: Questionnaire findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected our day-to-day life in the last few years. This problem becomes even more challenging when older adults are considered due to their less powerful immune system and vulnerability to infectious diseases, especially in Florida where 4.5 million people aged 65 and over reside.

A Machine-Learning Based Approach for Predicting Older Adults' Adherence to Technology-Based Cognitive Training.

Adequate adherence is a necessary condition for success with any intervention, including for computerized cognitive training designed to mitigate age-related cognitive decline. Tailored prompting systems offer promise for promoting adherence and facilitating intervention success. However, developing adherence support systems capable of just-in-time adaptive reminders requires understanding the factors that predict adherence, particularly an imminent adherence lapse.

Applying aspects of deliberate practice to help low performers improve manual control in a complex task.

Investigations of expert performers across many domains have suggested the accumulation of deliberate practice over many years is a key component of developing expertise. Researchers propose deliberate practice is effective for improving performance in the long term because it includes several structured elements that facilitate learning. However, the effects of such structured practice across shorter training periods are less understood.

A Grand Challenge for Psychology: Reducing the Age-related Digital Divide.

World-wide population aging and rapid diffusion of digital technology have converged to produce an age-related digital divide in technology adoption, as seen in use of the internet and ownership of smartphones. Given the centrality of these technologies for full participation in modern society, reducing that gap is an important challenge for psychologists. We outline more and less malleable factors associated with technology adoption.

Enhancing neurocognitive health, abilities, networks, & community engagement for older adults with cognitive impairments through technology: a scoping review introducing the ENHANCE Center.

Purpose: Age associated cognitive impairments (CIs) result in difficulties with a wide range of daily activities. As the older adult population increases, so does the importance of understanding and supporting the needs and disabilities of those with CIs. The Enhancing Neurocognitive Health, Abilities, Networks, and Community Engagement (ENHANCE) Centre was established with a focus on developing assistive technology to support the socialisation, transportation, and prospective memory needs of older adults with CIs.

Using a Nature-Based Virtual Reality Environment for Improving Mood States and Cognitive Engagement in Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study.

Background And Objectives: Exposure to nature and nature-based imagery has been shown to improve mood states and stave off cognitive decline in older adults. Even "micro-doses" of natural scenery can provide beneficial effects in situations where more extensive interactions with nature are not feasible. In the current study, we evaluated the use of virtual reality (VR) for delivering interactive nature-based content with the goal of prompting active engagement and improving mood states in older adults.

Boldness moderates cognitive performance under acute threat: Evidence from a task-switching paradigm involving cueing for shock.

Understanding factors that influence behavioral performance in high-pressure contexts is relevant to critical occupations such as first responders, military personnel, and frontline medical workers. A recent study by Yancey et al. (2019) demonstrated an association between boldness, a biobehavioral trait reflecting social dominance and fearlessness, and enhanced task-switching performance during threat of shock relative to a no-shock (safe) condition.