Enabling people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment to maintain physically active lives: what role can technology play?

Abstract

People with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) tend to be inactive, despite evidence that physical activity can improve cognition. To date, interventions to support physical activity have been lacking. This thesis explores the barriers, motivators and facilitators of physical activity for people with mild dementia and MCI and the opportunities for digital technologies to facilitate more active lives. In the first of three stages of human-centred design research, eight people with mild dementia, seven with MCI and eleven of their spouses shared their experiences of physical activity through diary-probe led interviews. Next, in design workshops with experts in health research, engineering and design, concepts for technologies to support physical activity were developed, informed by personas that described participants’ experiences. Finally, storyboard illustrations of the concept technologies were presented to participants for their critique in focus groups. Thematic data analysis was conducted at each stage. This thesis makes three key contributions to the literature on physical activity in MCI and dementia. First, the importance of everyday activities for an active and fulfilled life is revealed. Second, for people with dementia a variety of barriers to activity are identified, including motivational impairment and difficulties performing everyday activities, whereas MCI appears to have negligible impact. Third, the significance of partners in an active life is revealed, particularly for those with dementia. In response to these findings, technologies to support physical activity in dementia are proposed, however, participants’ responses indicate that human interventions and low-tech solutions should be prioritised. This enquiry also provides novel insights into methods for human-centred design with people with MCI and mild dementia. This thesis highlights the importance of working with people with dementia and MCI to develop technologies and services that facilitate the valued, purposeful activities that contribute to physically active and fulfilled lives.