Neurologists are testing a remote monitoring programme to support patients with mild cognitive impairment at home.
Nuvance Health is one of the first health systems in the United States to pilot a new remote monitoring technology for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
MCI is an early stage of memory loss or other cognition problems, such as difficulty with language and thinking.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 12 to 18 per cent of people aged 60 and older have MCI in the US. While MCI is not a type of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates 10 to 15 per cent of people with MCI eventually go on to develop dementia every year.
There are currently no approved medications to treat MCI, but current guidelines state that regularly stimulating the brain and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can be supportive to patients.
Neuroglee Connect™, a virtual neurological specialty care programme, is designed to help clinical care teams provide ongoing, personalised support for patients with MCI and caregivers from the comfort of their own home.
The remote monitoring program Nuvance Health has made available through its Neuroscience Institute includes brain-stimulating activities that can measure performance through timely assessments and identify signs of deterioration.
A digital dashboard captures this information in real-time for neurologists who can provide ongoing therapy modifications based on real-world data while efficiently tracking each patient’s adherence to the program.
Paul Wright, MD, senior vice president and system chair of the Neuroscience Institute at Nuvance Health, commented: “We care deeply about our patients with MCI and their caregivers, and understand how the diagnosis can be extremely worrisome. We are passionate about bringing them the latest care options and support, and in particular, leveraging digital innovations that they can access from the comfort and convenience of home.”
“Nuvance Health’s neurologists will use a digital platform to remotely monitor patients and keep them mentally active with consistent and intense brain activities.
“Patients will use an iPad to participate in medically-tested activities to stimulate their brains.”
The digital platform offers brain-stimulating activities such as playing games and learning new skills. It also offers memory compensation training, and reminiscing by uploading and viewing personal photographs and videos to trigger memories. In addition, the platform includes content about healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep.
The remote monitoring programme also has a digital platform and resources for caregivers because they play a critical role in the management of neurodegenerative conditions.
Care partners can monitor a patient’s progress through the platform and access education, support, and informational tools for identifying and overcoming MCI-related anxiety and stress.
Dr Wright added: “The caregiver is also involved as they are a major contributing factor to a patient’s well-being. Our neurologists will support their efforts at home because we now have an objective way to continuously track each patient’s condition over time. We can then use the information to inform appropriate, individualised care.”
A majority of Nuvance Health patients with MCI have adopted the remote monitoring program during the initial pilot phase.
The new technology is currently available at Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute neurology practices in New York and Connecticut.
