The use of advanced tracking technologies for the analysis of mobility in Alzheimer's disease and related cognitive diseases

Noam Shoval¹ , Gail K Auslander² , Tim Freytag³ , Ruth Landau² , Frank Oswald⁴ , Ulrich Seidl⁵ , Hans-Werner Wahl⁴ , Shirli Werner² and Jeremia Heinik⁶

¹Department of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel

²Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel

³Department of Geography, University of Heidelberg, Berliner Strasse 48, Heidelberg, Germany

⁴Department of Psychological Aging Research, Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Bergheimer Strasse 20, Heidelberg, Germany

⁵Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Voss-Str.4, Heidelberg, Germany

⁶Margoletz Psychogeriatric Center, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, University of Tel-Aviv, 6 Weizman Street, Tel-Aviv, Israel

author email corresponding author email

BMC Geriatrics 2008, 8:7doi:10.1186/1471-2318-8-7


Published:	26 March 2008

Abstract

Background

One of the more common behavioral manifestations of dementia-related disorders is severe problems with out-of-home mobility. Various efforts have been attempted to attain a better understanding of mobility behavior, but most studies are based on institutionalized patients and the assessment usually relies on reports of caregivers and institutional staff, using observational approaches, activity monitoring, or behavioral checklists. The current manuscript describes the research protocol of a project that measures mobility in Alzheimer's disease and related cognitive disorders in an innovative way, by taking advantage of advanced tracking technologies.

Methods/design

Participants are 360 demented persons, mildly cognitively impaired persons, and unimpaired controls aged ≥ 65 in Israel and Germany. Data regarding space-time activities will be collected via a GPS tracking kit for a period of 4 weeks in 3 waves (one year apart) with the same participants (using a repeated measures design). Participants will be interviewed by use of a battery of instruments prior to and following GPS data collection. Further, a family member will complete a questionnaire both before and after data tracking.

Statistical analyses will strive to explain differences in mobility based on a wide range of socio-structural, clinical, affect-related and environmental variables. We will also assess the impact of the use of advanced tracking technology on the quality of life of dementia patients and care givers, as well as its potential as a diagnostic tool. Systematic assessment of ethical issues involved in the use of tracking technology will be an integral component of the project.

Discussion

This project will be able to make a substantial contribution to basic as well as applied and clinical aspects in the area of mobility and cognitive impairment research. The innovative technologies applied in this study will allow for assessing a range of dimensions of out-of-home mobility, and provide better quality data.