Technology readiness among UK-based cognitively unaffected older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: potential implications for decentralised alzheimer's disease prevention trials.

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a global health and socioeconomic burden. Telemedicine has been more widely used since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and may be an effective strategy to mitigate the rising costs associated with AD. This study aimed to assess technology readiness among older adults at risk of developing dementia, with the goal of informing the design and delivery of technology-based approaches in AD prevention research.

METHODS

Cognitively unaffected older adults (n = 226) from the CHARIOT PRO Substudy were invited to complete the CHARIOT Technology Questionnaire (CTQ). CTQ assessed technology experiences and attitudes, including 'technology readiness' via the Technology Readiness Index (TRI).

RESULTS

Female participants scored, on average, lower TRI (M = 27.50, SD = 6.87) compared to males (M = 29.50, SD = 6.02). Furthermore, age predicted levels of technology readiness. Exploratory factor analysis determined two factors: "Technology Competence" (Factor 1) and "Technology Trepidation" (Factor 2). Gender differences were found for "Technology Competence" (but not "Technology Trepidation"), and age predicted "Technology Trepidation" (but not "Technology Competence").

DISCUSSION

Differences in gender, age, "Technology Competence", and "Technology Trepidation" may highlight those who need additional study and/or support in remote-based AD dementia prevention trials.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 has accelerated our adoption of 'digitalisation' in AD dementia research. A deeper understanding of the barriers to technology readiness may help inform future AD research studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The CHARIOT PRO SubStudy is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02114372).