The Efficacy of a Technology-Assisted Block Training Program on Cognitive Function, Hand Dexterity, and Grip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Research
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Technology-Assisted Block Training Program.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Aging, Cognitive Decline, Hand Dexterity. Basic parameters: from 65 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Taiwan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Block-building activities represent a promising tool for enhancing cognitive and hand function in older adults. When integrated with technological support, they offer personalized training advantages; however, their comprehensive effectiveness requires empirical validation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a "Technology-Assisted Block Training Program" to explore its effects on cognitive function, hand grip strength, dexterity, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, while examining participants' subjective experiences.
Detailed description
In response to the aging population trend, developing evidence-based care programs for older adults has become increasingly necessary. To delay functional decline in individuals, intervention programs that combine cognitive and motor training are gaining greater attention. Manual activities such as block-building can effectively improve working memory and processing abilities. However, traditional block training and cognitive training often struggle to maintain participants' motivation and sustained engagement due to monotonous content. Therefore, technology-assisted block training has emerged as a solution, providing real-time feedback, personalized difficulty adjustment, and multi-sensory stimulation to effectively overcome the limitations of traditional training approaches and enhance participant motivation.
Interventions
- Behavioral Technology-Assisted Block Training Program
This study, drawing on the theories proposed by Aguilar Ramirez et al. (2022) and Shepard and Metzler (1971), developed a mental rotation application and a corresponding block-building lesson plan. Participants then engaged in individual block-building activities, guided by the lesson plan, to train their spatial reasoning skills. Finally, the developed APP was used for mental rotation training, and its suitability and feasibility were rigorously validated through expert review and a pilot study
Primary outcome measures
- Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) [Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, pre-intervention]
- Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test [Time frame: Baseline , pre-intervention]
- Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer [Time frame: Baseline ,pre-intervention]
- Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test [Time frame: Baseline ,pre-intervention]
- Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index [Time frame: Baseline , pre-intervention]
- System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS) [Time frame: Baseline , pre-intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (6)
- Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) [Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention]
- Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test [Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention]
- Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer [Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention]
- Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test [Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention]
- Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index [Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention]
- System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS) [Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 65 and older
- Mentally alert and able to communicate
- Willing to participate in this study
Exclusion criteria
- Diagnosed with dementia by a physician
- Severe sensory or communication impairment
- Hand function impairment that prevents manipulation of building blocks
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
Study locations
Taiwan · 1 center
- Xindong Community Activity Center, Yilan City — Yilan
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07315724 · FJU-IRB NO:C113099