KSEF RDE: Investigation and Development of Portable Mobile Devices and Apps for Biofeedback Based Stress Reduction in Cognitively Impaired Populations

Today there are over 68,000 Kentuckians with Alzheimer’s disease, climbing to 86,000 Kentuckians by 2025. The primary aim of the current investigation is to establish the utility of portable mobile computing based biofeedback for stress reduction, and the development of a computer based reminiscence therapy in individuals with mild-cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease ages 70-89. Cardiac stress will be measured using heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, respiration rate and pulse. The study will focus on the use of wearable devices such as EEG (electro cardio gram) headset, and smart watches/fitness bands in conjunction with mobile apps to measure and reduce the stress levels of cognitively impaired populations. The objectives of the proposal include: (i) use of technology to determine the correlation between stress parameters in normal individuals as compared to individuals with cognitive impairment, (ii) investigate and develop biofeedback mobile apps for their applicability in cognitively impaired individuals, (iii) use of wearable computing (EEG headset/Smart watches) for stress and anxiety detection in cognitively impaired individuals, through breathing, heart rate, etc., (vi) development of portable mobile devices based reminiscence therapy through playing music, viewing photos, connecting with past memories, etc.