Gauge interest and acceptance of the use of passive technology for monitoring of cognition.

The lack of biomarkers for early-stage disease is a barrier for the development of effective therapeutics against cognitive decline. Technology may afford multiple ways to passively monitor cognitive function. While these methods may be sensitive to early cognitive changes, public opinion would be critical to implementation. To begin to understand public opinion of cognitive monitoring through technology, we conducted a survey.

Participants completed an internet-based survey. Surveys were distributed electronically within the U.S. (in English) via the UMass Conquering Diseases program. Surveys were also distributed via social media in Costa Rica (in Spanish) to obtain data on a different population.

58.1% of U.S. respondents (n=173) would be highly likely to agree to passive monitoring of cognition via a smartphone application. Higher degree of experience with technology made participants more likely to agree to monitoring (p=0.003). Healthcare professionals were less likely to agree to monitoring (p=0.012). The primary concern was privacy (p<0.01). Sex, age, education level, a diagnosis of dementia in the respondent or a relative, and perceived cognition compared to 10 years prior did not affect the participant’s likelihood of agreeing to monitoring. We compared these surveys via logistic regression to those answered in Costa Rica (n=43, total n=216), adjusting for age, education level, healthcare profession, owning a smartphone, knowledge in technology, and perception of cognitive decline. Respondents in Costa Rica were 7 times more likely to agree to monitoring (p<0.01). Respondents in the U.S. were 5 times more likely to be concerned about the impact on health insurance (p=0.001) and life insurance (p=0.01). 

Understanding the public perception and ethical implications of passive monitoring via technology should guide the design of such tools. Furthermore, such designs should take into account the particular viewpoints of each society.