It may seem counter intuitive that self-reporting could be an effective tool for dementia patients, but according to a Regenstreif Institute and Indiana University Center for Aging Research study, it works well for a Brain Care Monitor, a primary care tool to measure cognitive, functional and psychological symptoms.
The self-reported data was “user-friendly, reliable and valid, including being sensitive to symptom change,” according to the study, which likened the brain monitor to a blood pressure cuff. The brain monitor measures 27 items on a four-point scale to assess cognitive, functional, and psychological symptoms.
Older patients seeing primary care physicians typically have multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression, anxiety, cancer, stroke, dementia or chronic heart failure. So a tool that can monitor such a wide range of “relevant symptoms” can be helpful for clinicians monitoring such patients and their treatment plans, according to the Institute.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
The monitor, co-developed by Regenstreif and the university, self-reported cognitive measurements like the ability to identify correct month and year, ability to memorize, and ability to handle complex financial affairs. Functional measurements included ability to learn to use a tool, appliance or gadget; planning and preparing meals; and ability to conduct daily activities such as bathing, shopping and performing household chores. Psychological measurements include individual scores on depression, anxiety, irritability and appetite.
A total of 291 patients with a mean age of 72 years participated in the study of the patient self-reporting version of the HABC Monitor. Fifty-six percent of study participants were African-American, and 76 percent were female. All were patients age 65 or older seen at Eskenazi Health primary-care clinics.
Dr. Malaz Boustani, a geriatrician, is the study’s senior author. He is also medical director of the Healthy Aging Brain Center at Eskenazi Health, the hospital where the study was conducted.
The study appears in the December 2014 issue of Clinical Interventions in Aging, an international peer-reviewed open-access publication.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
The work was funded by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and from the National Institute on Aging.
