Usability and Acceptance of In-App Social-Interacting Features for Promoting Adherence to Computerized Cognitive...

As the aging population grows, cognitive decline and dementia may pose more significant public health challenges. Non-pharmacologic interventions, including cognitive training, offer potential solutions to mitigate cognitive deterioration; however, intervention adherence remains a key challenge. This pilot study examines the impact of social interaction features on adherence to cognitive training among older adults using the Mind Frontier software, a gamified cognitive training program. This study aimed to evaluate whether the integration of a leaderboard and chat system is associated with self-perceived social connectiveness (measured by a loneliness scale), adherence to and self-perceived efficacy in cognitive training, and the usability of the cognitive training system. A single-group pre-post design was employed, involving 24 participants aged 65 and older who completed a four-week intervention. Participants were provided with a tablet-based training system and were instructed to complete cognitive training sessions three days per week. Adherence metrics, usability ratings, and social engagement data were collected. Results indicated that while most participants maintained minimal adherence throughout the intervention, adherence levels declined over time. Frequent users of the chat and leaderboard functions rated the system more favorably but did not show significantly higher adherence compared to infrequent users. Additionally, a slight increase in loneliness and a decrease in self-efficacy were observed post-training, suggesting the need for enhanced support and interactive features. Correlation analysis revealed that higher adherence was associated with decreased loneliness, and participants with higher post-training self-efficacy gave better usability ratings. This study highlights the potential of integrating social interaction into cognitive training programs to promote adherence, while also underscoring the challenges of maintaining long-term adherence. Future research should investigate strategies to sustain engagement in technology-based cognitive interventions for older adults.