Using smartphone apps to help people with memory problems remember important tasks
Official title: Smartphone-Based Solutions for Prospective Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-10914118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using a smartphone app for reminders can help people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia remember important tasks, like taking their medications, compared to using a paper system, and it involves 200 participants trying both methods over four weeks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $735,969 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082783-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe cognitive impairment or dementia may not benefit from this research due to their inability to effectively use smartphone technology.
What this research studies
This research investigates how smartphone-based memory aids can assist individuals with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia in remembering future intentions, such as taking medications. The study will involve 200 participants who will be randomly assigned to use either a smartphone reminder app or a traditional paper-based memory support system over a four-week period. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term benefits of these digital tools in improving memory performance among diverse populations, including those from digitally-disadvantaged backgrounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the ability of patients with cognitive impairments to manage their daily tasks and improve their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that smartphone-based interventions can be effective in improving memory performance, making this approach promising yet still in the exploratory phase.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scullin, Michael K — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Scullin, Michael K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.