Purpose
The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effects of mobile health applications in older adults with dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and to quantify the effect size of these interventions through meta-analysis.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, with a total of seven databases searched on April 18, 2023. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tools. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g within a random effects model, and subgroup analyses were also performed.
Results
A total of 10 studies were included in the systematic review, and six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Intervention groups exhibited a statistically significant improvement in cognitive function (Hedges’ g=0.33, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=0.09~0.56, p=.007). Subgroup analyses revealed that older adults with MCI (Hedges’ g=0.41, 95% CI=0.12~0.69, p=.006) and interventions lasting more than 4 weeks (Hedges’ g=0.47, 95% CI=0.09~0.85, p=.016) demonstrated a significant cognitive improvement.
Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that mobile health applications may represent a suitable approach for improving cognitive function in older adults with MCI, emphasizing the need for at least a four-week intervention. These findings underscore the potential of mobile health interventions as a practical option for cognitive improvement in the early stages of cognitive decline.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Basic Physical Capability Scale (BPCS-K).
METHODS
The BPCS was translated into Korean using forward and back translations. Data were collected from January 16 to May 10, 2019. The study participants comprised 285 older adults, with 147 recruited from an acute care setting, and 138, who had dementia, were from long-term care facilities. Data analysis included KR-20, intraclass correlation coefficient, independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, hierarchical multiple regression, and Rasch analysis (item difficulty, infit/outfit, separation index, reliability index, and differential item function analysis), and were conducted using SPSS/WIN 25.0 and R programs. The criterion-related validity was examined using the Barthel Index.
RESULTS
The KR-20 reliability coefficient was .93 and the intraclass correlation coefficient for 2-week test-retest reliability was .97. The BPCS-K scores were significantly different compared to the known groups. Moreover, controlling for age, gender, and cognitive status, the Barthel Index score was significantly associated with the BPCS-K scores. Rasch analysis supported good construct validity.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that the 16-item BPCS-K is an appropriate instrument to measure basic physical capability in Korean older adults. The BPCS-K can establish individualized physical activity goals for the elderly in a variety of clinical settings and can also serve to measure changes of physical function in physical activity interventions for older adults.

Citations

• Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of Assessment of Health Literacy in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
  Hye Sook Shin, Eunlim Chi, Hae-Ra Han
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2021; 51(6): 769.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to design a mobile-application of a cognitive training program for people who have chemo-related cognitive complaints.
METHODS
The program was developed based on the networkbased instructional system design proposed by Jung. The program consisted of several tasks centered on four cognitive domains: learning, memory, working memory, and attention. For memory learning, a target-image and all its elements (color, position, and number) were presented on the screen that had to be recognized among a number of distractor-figures. In working memory training, the previous learned target-figure according to the level of difficulty had to be remembered among many different figures. In attention training named “Find the same figure,” two identical symbols in a grid-pattern filled with different images were presented on the screen, and these had to be simultaneously touched. In attention training named “Find the different figure,” a different symbol in a grid pattern filled with same figures had to be selected. This program was developed to train for a minimum of 20 min/day, four days/week for six weeks.
RESULTS
This cognitive training revealed statistically significant improvement in subjective cognitive impairments (t=3.88, p=.006) at six weeks in eight cancer survivors.
CONCLUSION
This cognitive training program is expected to offer individualized training opportunities for improving cognitive function and further research is needed to test the effect in various settings.

Citations

• User evaluation of a mobile education application for the management of metabolic syndrome among cancer survivors
  Ji-Su Kim, Minhae Kim, Yeji Seo
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 63: 102276.     CrossRef
• Effects of smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors
  Bok Yae Chung, Sung Jung Hong
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2021; 27(2): 95.     CrossRef
• Development and Effectiveness of a Mobile Health Lifestyle Program for University Students
  Yeon Hee Kim, Sung Rae Shin
  Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2021; 32(2): 150.     CrossRef