title: Computer mouse movement patterns: A potential marker of mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subtle changes in cognitively demanding activities occur in MCI but are difficult to assess with conventional methods. In an exploratory study, we examined whether patterns of computer mouse movements obtained from routine home computer use discriminated between older adults with and without MCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 42 cognitively intact and 20 older adults with MCI enrolled in a longitudinal study of in-home monitoring technologies. Mouse pointer movement variables were computed during one week of routine home computer use using algorithms that identified and characterized mouse movements within each computer use session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCI was associated with making significantly fewer total mouse moves (p<.01), and making mouse movements that were more variable, less efficient, and with longer pauses between movements (p<.05). Mouse movement measures were significantly associated with several cognitive domains (p's<.01-.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remotely monitored computer mouse movement patterns are a potential early marker of real-world cognitive changes in MCI.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurology, Portland, Oregon; Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seelye
authors.affiliation: Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hagler
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurology, Portland, Oregon; Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mattek
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurology, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Diane B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Howieson
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurology, Portland, Oregon; Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wild
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurology, Portland, Oregon; Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Hiroko H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurology, Portland, Oregon; Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, Portland, Oregon; Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kaye
keywords: aging; cognitive assessment; computer use; early detection of cognitive decline; ecological validity; everyday functioning; functional assessment; instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs); mild cognitive impairment; remote monitoring; technology