INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 06 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 04:00 pm - 05:15 pm Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 06: Aging \| MCI \| Neurodegenerative Disease - PART 2 Final Abstract #34 Demographic Factors and Cognitive Status as Predictors of Technology-Related Self-Efficacy in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults and Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study Liselotte De Wit, Emory University, ATLANTA, United States Felicia Goldstein, Emory University, Atlanta, United States Amy Rodriguez, Emory University, Atlanta, United States Jessica Saurman, Emory University, Atlanta, United States Kayci Vickers, Emory University, Atlanta, United States Category: Teleneuropsychology/ Technology Keyword 1: teleneuropsychology Keyword 2: technology Keyword 3: mild cognitive impairment Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed an increase in telehealth services worldwide. Barriers to the use of technology need to be assessed as these may impact the ability of persons to engage in telehealth services. To our knowledge, no studies thus far have assessed the perceptions of older adults related to their ability to learn new technologies (i.e., technology-related self-efficacy) and whether such perceptions are related to demographic factors and cognitive status. The current study aimed to assess gender, age, educational attainment, and cognitive status as predictors of technology-related self-efficacy. We hypothesized that women, those with more advanced age, lower educational attainment, and more severe cognitive impairment would have lower technology-related self-efficacy. Participants and Methods: This study included baseline data from Emory's Cognitive Empowerment Program, a comprehensive lifestyle program for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The sample included 119 individuals diagnosed with MCI (Albert, 2011) and 117 cognitively unimpaired individuals who participated as care partners. Per self-report of the individuals with MCI, 88% attended a telehealth appointment in the past year, 95% frequently used a smartphone, and 68% frequently used a computer. To assess technology-related self-efficacy, the Technology Efficacy Survey was developed, which included 10-items using a 10-point Likert scale and showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.958). Example items included “I could use the new technology...if I had only the instructions for reference” and “I could use the new technology… if I could call someone for help.” Global cognitive status was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A hierarchical linear regression model was run to predict technology-related self-efficacy using gender, age, educational attainment (in years), and cognitive status as predictors (with α = 0.01). Results: The mean age of individuals with MCI was 74.0 (SD: 7.0; M_education= 16.2±2.6 years; 45% women). The mean age of the cognitively unimpaired older adults was 68.5 (SD: 10.8, M_education= 16.2±2.4; 72% women). Worse technology-related self-efficacy was found in adults with more advanced age (β = -0.25, p <.001) and with lower MoCA scores (β = .37, p < .001). Gender (β = -0.23, p = .051) and educational attainment (β = -0.03, p = .629) did not predict technology-related self-efficacy. The model explained 22.1% of the variance. Follow-up analyses using the MoCA subscales as predictors, controlling for age, showed that worse technology-related self-efficacy was found in those with lower memory (β = 0.19, p = .008) and attention (β = 0.26, p =.006) subscale scores (R²= 0.26). Conclusions: Results of the current study highlight that technology-related self-efficacy is lower in older adults with more advanced age and more severe cognitive impairment. Specifically, those with worse delayed recall and worse attention and working memory on the MoCA rated themselves as having lower technology-related self-efficacy. While technology and telehealth can improve access and connectivity for those living in remote areas and with driving restrictions, health care providers should be aware of barriers related to comfort with technology, including advanced age and poorer cognition.

Poster

02/15/2024
04:00 pm - 05:15 pm
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 06: Aging | MCI | Neurodegenerative Disease - PART 2

Final Abstract #34

Demographic Factors and Cognitive Status as Predictors of Technology-Related Self-Efficacy in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults and Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study

Liselotte De Wit, Emory University, ATLANTA, United States
Felicia Goldstein, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
Amy Rodriguez, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
Jessica Saurman, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
Kayci Vickers, Emory University, Atlanta, United States

Category: Teleneuropsychology/ Technology

Keyword 1: teleneuropsychology
Keyword 2: technology
Keyword 3: mild cognitive impairment

Objective:

The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed an increase in telehealth services worldwide. Barriers to the use of technology need to be assessed as these may impact the ability of persons to engage in telehealth services. To our knowledge, no studies thus far have assessed the perceptions of older adults related to their ability to learn new technologies (i.e., technology-related self-efficacy) and whether such perceptions are related to demographic factors and cognitive status. The current study aimed to assess gender, age, educational attainment, and cognitive status as predictors of technology-related self-efficacy. We hypothesized that women, those with more advanced age, lower educational attainment, and more severe cognitive impairment would have lower technology-related self-efficacy.

Participants and Methods:

This study included baseline data from Emory's Cognitive Empowerment Program, a comprehensive lifestyle program for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The sample included 119 individuals diagnosed with MCI (Albert, 2011) and 117 cognitively unimpaired individuals who participated as care partners. Per self-report of the individuals with MCI, 88% attended a telehealth appointment in the past year, 95% frequently used a smartphone, and 68% frequently used a computer. To assess technology-related self-efficacy, the Technology Efficacy Survey was developed, which included 10-items using a 10-point Likert scale and showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.958). Example items included “I could use the new technology...if I had only the instructions for reference” and “I could use the new technology… if I could call someone for help.” Global cognitive status was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A hierarchical linear regression model was run to predict technology-related self-efficacy using gender, age, educational attainment (in years), and cognitive status as predictors (with α = 0.01).

Results:

The mean age of individuals with MCI was 74.0 (SD: 7.0; M_education= 16.2±2.6 years; 45% women). The mean age of the cognitively unimpaired older adults was 68.5 (SD: 10.8, M_education= 16.2±2.4; 72% women). Worse technology-related self-efficacy was found in adults with more advanced age (β = -0.25, p <.001) and with lower MoCA scores (β = .37, p < .001). Gender (β = -0.23, p = .051) and educational attainment (β = -0.03, p = .629) did not predict technology-related self-efficacy. The model explained 22.1% of the variance. Follow-up analyses using the MoCA subscales as predictors, controlling for age, showed that worse technology-related self-efficacy was found in those with lower memory (β = 0.19, p = .008) and attention (β = 0.26, p =.006) subscale scores (R²= 0.26).

Conclusions:

Results of the current study highlight that technology-related self-efficacy is lower in older adults with more advanced age and more severe cognitive impairment. Specifically, those with worse delayed recall and worse attention and working memory on the MoCA rated themselves as having lower technology-related self-efficacy. While technology and telehealth can improve access and connectivity for those living in remote areas and with driving restrictions, health care providers should be aware of barriers related to comfort with technology, including advanced age and poorer cognition.