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Presenter: Sydney C. Sullivan, Neuropsychology Program, RI Hospital

Presentation Topic: Psychometric Properties of the Rhode Island Mobile Cognitive Assessment Tool.

Conference: The Annual North American Meeting of International Neuropsychological Society, New York, Feb 14-17, 2024. 

Presenter: Kunal Mankodiya, PhD

Presentation Topic: Age-Friendly Design in Health Technology

Event: Technology and Design in Aging, Providence, RI, May 2023 

Official Project Title: EZ-Aware: Digital Twin for Wearable-Enabled, AI-Supported Detection of Cognitive Impairment

Principal Investigator: Kunal Mankodiya, PhD

AITC Partner: John Hopkins AITC

Amount: $190,000

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Presenter: Dr. Geoffrey Tremont, PhD

Topic: Feasibility of a digital cognitive screening test to detect cognitive impairment.
Abstract:  The Rhode Island Cognitive Assessment Tool (RIMCAT), a self-administered, tablet-based cognitive test designed for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, demonstrated initial feasibility in a study involving 50 participants, including both cognitively healthy individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The study highlighted RIMCAT's age-friendly interface, showing that while most participants could complete the test with minimal assistance, those with cognitive impairments required more support. Despite some challenges with technology use, particularly in the verbal memory task, overall feedback was positive, suggesting RIMCAT's potential for broader application with future refinements based on user feedback.

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Citation:
Sullivan, Sydney C., Kunal Mankodiya, Nicholas Constant, Charles Denby, Brian R. Ott, Laura E. Korthauer, Alyssa N. De Vito, Taylor R. Maynard, Melissa G. Zammitti, and Geoffrey Tremont. "Feasibility of a digital cognitive screening test to detect cognitive impairment." Alzheimer's & Dementia 19 (2023): e077838. 

Abstract: 

The Rhode Island Cognitive Assessment Tool (RIMCAT), a self-administered, tablet-based cognitive test designed for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, demonstrated initial feasibility in a study involving 50 participants, including both cognitively healthy individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The study highlighted RIMCAT's age-friendly interface, showing that while most participants could complete the test with minimal assistance, those with cognitive impairments required more support. Despite some challenges with technology use, particularly in the verbal memory task, overall feedback was positive, suggesting RIMCAT's potential for broader application with future refinements based on user feedback.

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Patent Title: System for monitoring neurodegenerative disorders through assessments in daily life settings that combine both non-motor and motor factors in its determination of the disease state

Inventors: Nicholas Constant, Kunal Mankodiya

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Official Project Title: SBIR Phase I: The integration of smart wearables in the telehealth management workflow

Principal Investigator: Nicholas Constant, PhD

Amount: $255,719.00 (+ $45,000 matching funds from RI Commerce)

Abstract: 

PD-Aware, an innovative digital health platform designed to revolutionize the management of Parkinson's Disease (PD) for patients and their caregivers. Born from our NSF Phase I project (December 2021 to May 2023), PD-Aware marries wearable technology with personalized feedback and a pioneering virtual care strategy, aiming to significantly improve patient and clinician experiences. At its core, PD-Aware offers a seamless, HIPAA-compliant app experience, integrating a user-friendly interface with a secure, cloud-based data management system. Our platform addresses a critical healthcare gap, enabling effective tracking of patient-reported outcomes and enhancing quality of life measures. Our mission is threefold: create a patient-centric digital health framework, enhance clinician dashboards for improved decision-making, and validate our platform through robust feasibility pilot testing. Our efforts have led to the development of a cross-platform compatible application, designed with direct insights from clinical consultants and through collaborative efforts with neurologists to ensure it meets the specific needs of healthcare professionals. The results from our pilot study have been overwhelmingly positive, with high usability ratings and continued use of the app beyond the study period, highlighting PD-Aware's potential to become a mainstay in PD management. The collection and analysis of extensive participant data have provided invaluable insights for ongoing enhancement and future directions of the platform. Looking forward, PD-Aware is set to redefine telehealth paradigms for PD management, enhancing patient engagement, and enabling personalized, efficient care. As we advance into Phase II, our focus is on refining the app's predictive capabilities, aiming to empower patients and healthcare providers with actionable insights for improved disease management.

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Official Project Title: Development of a Digital Cognitive Screening Test to detect Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Clinical Settings.

Principal Investigator: Kunal Mankodiya, PhD

Amount: $505,463 (+ $45,000 matching funds from RI Commerce)

Abstract: 

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are a growing health problem in our aging population. Assessment of cognitive functioning for early detection is critical to identify individuals who might benefit from treatment with the available symptomatic medications for mild dementia as well as future disease-modifying therapies that are actively under development and being tested in clinical research trials. Current cognitive screening tools are time-consuming and not routinely used or documented in busy primary care settings. As a result, we need easily accessible tools, such as patient self-administered measures, to screen individuals in primary care settings to guide counseling, referrals, and interventions. The proposed STTR Phase I project aims to develop and test an innovative digital cognitive screening instrument, RIMCAT (Rhode Island Mobile Cognitive Assessment Tool) to identify mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults. RIMCAT consists of 10 components and was designed for self-administration in supervised settings such as primary care practices and provides a cognitive-friendly interface allowing voice inputs, keyboard typing, and easy-to-understand instructions. The goal of this STTR project is to examine the initial reliability and validity of RIMCAT through a psychometric study. The project also includes the development of a digital health framework to support the workflow of MCI/dementia screening. This work will establish the usability of RIMCAT among older adults who could undergo the screening assessment on a digital platform, regardless of their ability to use modern mobile technologies.

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Official Project Title: Development and testing of a smart textile knitted sensors

Principal Investigator: Nicholas Constant, PhD

Amount: $50,000

Abstract: 

Echowear LLC will work with Anna Gitelson-Kahn at the Rhode Island School of Design to access sophisticated machines at the Rhode School of Design for knitting conductive threads. The company is developing a smart glove that allows an aging patient population to perform home screening assessments.  Access to expertise and specialized machinery at RISD will allow the company to develop knitted structures that maximize recoverability for prolonged use.