Digital Platform for Cognitive Rehabilitation and Remote Caregiver Support in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Multicenter Usability and Clinical Efficacy Study

Abstract

Background:

Telemedicine has gained increasing relevance as an innovative approach to support continuity of care for individuals with cognitive impairment. However, evidence regarding usability and short-term clinical effectiveness in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is still limited. The present study aimed to assess the usability, feasibility, and preliminary clinical efficacy of a dedicated telemedicine platform integrating cognitive telerehabilitation and teleconsultation services for individuals with aMCI and their caregivers.

Methods:

A multicenter prospective study was conducted across 10 Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia in the Calabria region, Italy. Subjects with aMCI (aged 50–80 years) and their caregivers were enrolled and participated in a 4-week intervention. The program included asynchronous tablet-based cognitive telerehabilitation and scheduled teleconsultations providing educational and psychological support. Usability was evaluated using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Secondary outcomes included adherence, satisfaction, changes in neuropsychological measures, and caregiver burden, assessed before and after the intervention.

Results:

A total of 285 participants (144 patients, 141 caregivers) were enrolled, and 267 completed the study (retention rate: 93.6%). The overall mean SUS score was 79.03 ± 16.89, indicating good-to-excellent usability across patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. Significant improvements were observed in global cognition, episodic memory, disease insight, anxiety, depressive symptoms, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and caregiver burden (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

This telemedicine platform demonstrated high usability, strong adherence, and positive clinical effects after a short intervention period. These findings support the feasibility and potential value of digital telerehabilitation solutions for individuals with aMCI and their caregivers.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease mild cognitive impairment neuropsychology telecognitive stimulation telehealth digital health

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