Feasibility of a software app for detecting inattention in delirium
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study of a software application for detection and monitoring of attentional deficits in delirium
IRAS ID
124124
Contact name
Alasdair MacLullich
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
15/SC/0060, South East Scotland 1 Research Ethics Committee
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
Delirium is an acute, serious syndrome involving abnormalities in attention, arousal and cognition. Delirium affects 1 in 8 hospital patients. Delirium is linked to a higher risk of death, increased length of stay, and substantial patient and carer distress. Despite its massive medical importance, delirium is grossly underdetected, with rates of formal detection of 20% or less.
We previously developed a new neuropsychological test for the objective measurement of inattention in delirium, implemented on a computerised device (Delbox). More recently we have developed a prototype software application (DelApp) for smartphones based on the 'Delbox' tests.
Findings from two pilot studies suggest that the DelApp performs well as a method for objectively measuring attention in delirium.
As part of a new programme of work on attentional tests for delirium, now formally funded by the Medical Research Council (grant value £1.01M), we plan further studies to refine the DelApp before conducting larger-scale formal studies. The reasons for doing these additional studies are that we need to: (1) shorten the duration of the DelApp assessment; (2) ask end users (i.e. clinicians) to evaluate the user interface; (3) gather feedback from end users regarding the ease of use of the test; and any other feedback from clinicians and patients; and finally (4) develop the DelApp software application further based on user feedback.
Here we propose a preliminary qualitative study to evaluate feasibility of the optimised DelApp test (points 2 and 3). We will assess usability by asking approximately 30 clinical staff to administer the DelApp test to colleagues. A subsample will administer the test to 10 consented patients, and we ask the clinicians and patients for feedback through semi-structured interviews. The outcomes of this feasibility study will make possible further optimisation of the app, in preparation for formal validation studies.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
15/SS/0019
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion