Work

Feasibility and engagement of a multidomain mobile intervention for mild cognitive impairment: A pilot randomised controlled trial with app-log analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Objective: Digital health interventions offer scalable non-pharmacological treatments for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, their effectiveness relies on sustained user engagement, a major challenge in real-world settings. This assessor-blinded pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile app-based multidomain intervention combining physical activity and cognitive training, compared with a physical activity-only intervention, in patients with MCI. Methods: Patients with MCI were randomised into multidomain intervention or active control groups. Both interventions were delivered via a mobile application over 12 weeks. Engagement was quantified using app log metrics, and clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and at week 12. Post-intervention interviews explored barriers to engagement. Results: Twenty-three participants were randomised, of whom 20 completed the baseline assessment and 18 provided week-12 outcome data. Engagement was consistently low across both groups, and no participant met the predefined adherence target of ≥5 days per week. Median use time was approximately 20 minutes for the physical activity component across both groups, with similarly low use of the cognitive training component in the multidomain group. No significant between-group differences were observed in clinical outcomes. Qualitative feedback identified usability issues, task difficulties, and challenges in establishing routine app use. Conclusion: Engagement with the mobile intervention was low, resulting in limited intervention exposure and no meaningful differences in clinical outcomes. Optimising engagement through a user-centred design and structured support is essential before evaluating its effectiveness in this population.

Source: Digital Health

DOI: 10.1177/20552076261480623