The Feasibility of TECH: Tablet Enhancement of Cognition and Health for Healthy Adults

The Feasibility of TECH: Tablet Enhancement of Cognition and Health, Cognitive Training Using Touchscreen Tablet Gaming Applications, for Healthy Older Adults - a Pilot Randomized Control Trial

This study assess the feasibility of novel cognitive intervention utilizing tablet apps (TECH protocol: Tablet Enhancement of Cognition and Health) in terms of relevance, adherence, suitable challenges, training time etc. for healthy older adults. Older adults with normal cognition will be randomly allocated to the TECH protocol (experimental group) or the control group (no treatment). Assessments will be administered pre and post the 6-week TECH protocol by assessors blind to group allocation.

A pre-post pilot study will be conducted. Participants will be referred to the study from 'Maccabi Healthcare Services' by family physicians and geriatric physician of 'Maccabi Healthcare Services Central District'. The majority of TECH protocol training will take place in the participants' home as self-practice. The assessment and weekly group meetings will take place at clinics of Maccabi Healthcare Services in the Central District. A Helsinki approval (#2016009) has already been obtained. Participants will receive information regarding the study and if eligible will sign a consent form, undergo the screening and then the pre-intervention assessments. Then they will receive the TECH protocol, and following the intervention a second assessment will be performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 65 and above.
• Without cognitive decline (score 26 points or above in MoCA).
• ) live independently in the community (as reported by the participants, regarding their independence in BADL and IADL, excluding motor difficulties which are not caused due to neurological conditions or lack of performance with no changes compared to the past.
• Have normal or corrected vision and hearing.
• Speak, write and read Hebrew.
• Able to understand and follow use of the touchscreen of a tablet after initial demonstration.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Experience severe depressive symptoms (10 points or more in The Geriatric Depression Scale).
• Are diagnosed with dementia, or other neurological or psychiatric condition (such as stroke, Parkinson's disease).