The American Journal of Occupational Therapy · 2017
Everyday Technology Use Related to Activity Involvement Among People in Cognitive Decline
By Hedman A, Nygård L, Kottorp A
OBJECTIVE: We investigated how everyday technology use related to activity involvement over 5 yr in people with mild cognitive impairment. METHOD: Thirty-seven older adults with mild cognitive impairment were evaluated regarding everyday technology use and involvement in activities over time. Information on diagnostic changes was collected from medical files. Linear mixed-effects models were used in data analysis. RESULTS: Ability to use everyday technology showed a significant effect on activity involvement (p = .007) beyond the effects of time, diagnostic change, and age. Decreases in number of everyday technologies used (p < .001) and share of accessible and relevant everyday technologies used (p = .04) were associated with decreasing activity involvement. However, these two aspects did not reinforce each other. CONCLUSION: When monitoring activity involvement in clients with cognitive decline, health care professionals should take into account clients' ability to use everyday technologies and the amount of everyday technologies they use.