Design and evaluation of an ICT platform for cognitive stimulation of Alzheimer's disease patients

Cognitive Stimulation aims to improve cognitive skills and quality of life for people with dementia by helping to reduce the functional disability resulting from damage to the brain. Recent studies suggest that this kind of treatment is effective, but it is not yet possible to demonstrate that leads to changes in behavior or in the patient's lifestyle. The present work investigates the impact and the effectiveness of an information and communications technology platform able to allow the cognitive stimulation practice within a domestic environment. The platform is made up of a set-top-box connected to a TV monitor, a Microsoft Kinect sensor and a (optional) smart garment for clinical signs detection. Preliminary results, achieved after the tests performed on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer, demonstrates that the aforementioned platform is a very useful tool able to increase the neuropsychiatric and cognitive state of the patient.