Motivation, Worries and Digital Affinity in Cognitive Screening - Qualitative Findings From the CogScreen Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Digital Health

Background:

• Subjective cognitive decline is an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease (AD), necessitating early detection for effective treatment.
• The CogScreen study aims to evaluate community-based screening tools for early-stage AD.
• This research focuses on user experiences with digital cognitive assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate participant motivations and concerns regarding digital cognitive assessments.
• To identify potential improvements for digital tools used in cognitive screening.
• To explore the feasibility of digital assessments in aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 28 participants (subjective cognitive decline or healthy controls).
• Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis.
• Utilized MAXQDA software for qualitative data analysis.

Main Results:

• Key themes emerged regarding digital tool usability and the need for clear communication.
• Participants expressed specific motivations and concerns about using digital assessment tools.
• A desire for a more personalized research experience was identified.

Conclusions:

• Digital assessments are feasible for aging populations, but user-centered factors are critical.
• Addressing participant motivations, concerns, and digital literacy is vital for successful implementation.
• Findings inform strategies for enhancing participant engagement and early cognitive impairment detection.