Evaluating the usability and usefulness of a mobile application for training visual mnemonic techniques in participants with subjective cognitive decline: An exploratory pilot study

Cognitive decline is a global healthcare problem. In this respect, we evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of an intervention with an application (app) that helps elderly to learn visual mnemonic techniques (YMT) that counteract cognitive impairment. A randomized, controlled pilot study was conducted with 14 subjects to gather information regarding users∗ perceptions of the app along with preliminary insight about the effects of the mnemonic training. Our descriptive analysis of the results suggests that subjects exhibited a slight improvement on standard memory tests and a slight reduction in subjective cognitive decline. Further research focusing on personal characteristics, environmental conditions, and task complexity is needed owing to the contribution of these factors to the inter-subject variations in in the use of the application and effectiveness of VMT. Our study results suggest the importance of the development of a scale that quantifies relevant attributes and how much patients use VMT.