The Value of a Virtual Assistant to Improve Engagement in Computerized Cognitive Training at Home: Exploratory Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Gerontology

Background:

• Cognitive decline is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
• Current pharmaceutical treatments for cognitive decline offer limited efficacy and significant side effects.
• Computerized cognitive training (CCT) presents a promising non-pharmacological approach for cognitive maintenance and improvement, especially for at-home use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the value of integrating a virtual assistant into CCT.
• To examine how individual factors (age, psycho-affective state, personality, motivations, cognitive skills) influence user perception of virtual assistants in CCT.
• This research is part of the THERADIA project, focused on developing an empathetic AI virtual assistant.

Main Methods:

• 104 participants (52 young adults, 52 older adults) completed questionnaires and one CCT session.
• The CCT session involved 4 cognitive exercises supervised by a virtual assistant (human-piloted via Wizard of Oz).
• Participants provided post-session evaluations of the virtual assistant and CCT experience.

Main Results:

• The virtual assistant was generally appreciated and deemed useful by both young and older adults.
• Older adults reported more positive overall ratings for both the virtual assistant and CCT compared to young adults.
• User evaluations were influenced by individual characteristics, particularly their affective state (arousal, relevance, goal conduciveness, anxiety).

Conclusions:

• This study offers initial insights into young and older adult perceptions of virtual assistants in CCT.
• A virtual assistant could potentially boost user motivation in CCT, especially if it can adapt to users' emotional states.
• Future research will focus on evaluating the device with patients experiencing mild cognitive impairment and assessing long-term effectiveness.