Everyday fluctuations
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Guidance
Consider using smartphone-based experience sampling apps to measure everyday fluctuations of variables such as mood, behaviors, or cognition in people with mild cognitive impairments or carers of people with dementia to better understand variations in daily experiences.
Explanation and examples
The ‘Partner in Sight’ intervention for carers of people with dementia, the ‘Monitor-Mi’ study (feasibility of the experience sampling method (ESM) in people with MCI), and the development of two cognitive tasks (mDSST; mVSWMT), all included the experience sampling method (ESM). These studies are first steps towards a better understanding of and support for people with cognitive impairments, such as MCI or dementia, and their carers in everyday life.
The results indicate positive effects on carers’ well-being, feasibility of using the ESM in people with MCI, and internal validity when assessing momentary cognition in healthy older individuals. The experience sampling method has a high ecological validity with a reduced memory bias, allows to see fluctuations, and uncovers a complex picture of affect, behaviour, and other variables in everyday life. It can be used to increase awareness of own daily patterns and motivate behavioural changes towards more meaningful activities.
Themes
Carers Cognition Everyday life Experience Sampling Method (ESM) Mood People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Target groups
Clinicians Researchers focusing on eHealthType of evidence
ESM studies: ‘Partner in Sight’ intervention and related studies; Monitor-Mi study; Cognitive tasks (collaboration with S. Verhagen et al.);
References
Bartels S.L., van Knippenberg R.J.M., Malinowsky C., Verhey F.R.J., de Vugt M.E. Smartphone-Based Experience Sampling in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Feasibility and Usability Study. JMIR Aging 2020;3(2):e19852. https://doi.org/10.2196/19852
Van Knippenberg, R. J. M., De Vugt, M. E., Ponds, R. W., Myin‐Germeys, I., van Twillert, B., & Verhey, F. R. J. (2017). Dealing with daily challenges in dementia (deal‐id study): an experience sampling study to assess caregiver functioning in the flow of daily life. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 32(9), 949-958.
Van Knippenberg, R. J. M., De Vugt, M. E., Ponds, R. W., Myin-Germeys, I., & Verhey, F. R. J. (2018). An experience sampling method intervention for dementia caregivers: results of a randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(12), 1231-1243.
Daniëls, N. E. M., Bartels, S. L., Verhagen, S. J. W., Van Knippenberg, R. J. M., De Vugt, M. E., & Delespaul, P. A. (2020). Digital assessment of working memory and processing speed in everyday life: Feasibility, validation, and lessons-learned. Internet Interventions, 19, 100300.
Verhagen, S. J., Daniëls, N. E., Bartels, S. L., Tans, S., Borkelmans, K. W., de Vugt, M. E., & Delespaul, P. A. (2019). Measuring within-day cognitive performance using the experience sampling method: A pilot study in a healthy population. PLOS One, 14(12), e0226409.
See also
Personalized feedback and sustained support for carers using the experience sampling method
As training manager of INDUCT, I am responsible for the overall coordination and organization of the individual and network-wide training of our 15 ESRs. My main task is the organization of five INDUCT Summer and Winter Schools. Together with the local and management team, we identify needs and interests among the ESRs, compose a varied program for the week including training sessions, project meetings and social and networking events, invite academic and non-academic expert speakers, organize practical matters, and afterwards we evaluate the event, write a report, and try to incorporate all suggestions in our future training events.