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2005 Grant - Pavel

Tailored Interactive Video Exercise and Cognitive Rehabilitation

Misha Pavel, Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University
Beaverton, Oregon

2005 Everyday Technologies for Alzheimer's Care

For many older people, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, maintaining health and functional capability is a major challenge. One way to keep older people active and involved is to provide opportunities for social, mental and physical activities. However, the amount of time caregivers have available to focus on these types of interactions is often insufficient.

Misha Pavel, Ph.D., and colleagues have developed an interactive system to support physical and cognitive exercise among older adults. The system will be designed to work with either individuals or groups. Because it only comprises a camera for monitoring participant activity, a television and interactive software, people who can operate a television should be able to use it with ease. The technology is also designed to enable a family member or caregiver to have remote manual control so that they can interact with the care recipient.

The researchers will integrate their interactive coaching technology with a range of standard video-based exercise regimens suitable for seniors. In the pilot study, the system will be installed in the homes of 10 older adults. The outcome of this work may demonstrate the utility of this technology and lay the groundwork for further investigations in larger studies of people with dementia.