Mobile applications and their influence in the cognitive flexibility

Abstract

An experiment was used in this research by using mobile applications and its influence on the cognitive flexibility of the elderly of Centro Integral del Adulto Mayor Nursing Home of Ambato-Ecuador. This research was aimed to verify changes in the elderly’s cognitive function through the use of an app designed to work in the mental flexibility processes. Some evaluation instruments were used for data collection, such as the Stroop Test which measures cognitive flexibility that was applied twice in the three months of research intervention. Also, a survey directed towards the researched population was used. Its purpose was to verify the use of the App in the elderly’s daily life. The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient was used to validate the reliability of the survey and the hypothesis; the Wilcoxon test verified the significant differences between the scores obtained with the application of the Test. It is concluded in the current research that the frequent use of the mobile application generates significant changes in cognitive functioning, specifically in flexibility. The research population were mostly retired and schooled elderly. A mobile application was created in order to meet the proposal objectives. It contains exercises designed based on the existing theory on mental stimulation and rehabilitation and created to stimulate memory, attention, and perception that are processes involved in cognitive flexibility.