Validating a Novel Digital Face-Name Platform for Memory Enhancement in the Cognitively Healthy: A Baseline for Mild Cognitive Impairment Application

Abstract

Mild Cognitive Impairment is a transitional stage for more severe conditions like Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and previous research has shown that memory training exercises have shown promise in mitigating symptoms. We hypothesize that the use of a digital platform for repetitive face-name pair recall– FNAME-CogniFuse–will significantly improve memory retention in cognitively healthy individuals.The platform’s training model involved three key stages: an Encoding phase where participants learned face-name pairs, a 15-minute Break phase for memory consolidation, and a three-part Recall phase to test associative memory, free recall, and confidence ratings. A structured training program using FNAME-CogniFuse was conducted with 24 participants under 18. The results demonstrated an average of 34% overall increase in memory recall accuracy (p-value of .0017) from the primary to the final session. In associative memory, we observed a 36% improvement (p = 0.0014). Free recall accuracy showed an 11% decline, which was not significant. Answer confidence increased by 48% (p = 0.003). Notably, demographic analysis revealed a 59.63% average increase in memory scores for White participants and a 23.79% average increase for Asian participants, though this difference was not significant. The results revealed that the platform effectively enhances associative memory and answer confidence, suggesting its potential as an accessible cognitive training tool. Therefore, the FNAME-CogniFuse platform has significant potential as both an at-home cognitive training tool for healthy individuals and, with further validation, a clinical tool for MCI patients.