Telerehabilitation in Alzheimer's Disease

Telemedicine has developed rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now integrated into the clinical practice of many hospitals. Telemedicine offers many advantages, and even after the end of the pandemic, many patients still choose to undergo healthcare visits remotely. However, the rapid expansion of telemedicine may be associated with the risk of providing patients with unvalidated and uncontrolled telehealth solutions, potentially negatively impacting their health. In this study, the researchers aim to investigate the effectiveness of remote cognitive training in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) using tablets equipped with virtual reality-based cognitive exercises. The investigators also aim to evaluate the impact of online supervision of cognitive training by a neuropsychologist and to compare the costs and burden of home-based versus hospital-based cognitive training in patients with AD. This project will define the optimal modalities for cognitive telerehabilitation to ensure validated protocols for the continuity of care in AD.

Inclusion criteria for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD): * Age between 50 and 90 years. * Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease according to established diagnostic criteria. * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 18 and 24. * Stable pharmacological treatment for at least 3 months before enrolment. * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent. Inclusion criteria for caregivers: * Age ≥18 years. * Availability to assist the patient throughout the study. * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent. Exclusion criteria for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD): * Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent. * History of psychiatric disorders. * Significant cerebrovascular disease. * Severe visual or hearing impairment that could interfere with study procedures. * Psychosis. * Major depressive disorder. * Alcohol or substance abuse. * Use of psychotropic medications that may interfere with neuropsychological assessment or study treatment. * Concurrent participation in another interventional pharmacological clinical trial. * Any contraindication to undergoing EEG recording. Exclusion criteria for caregivers: * Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent. * History of psychiatric disorders. * Major depressive disorder. * Alcohol or substance abuse. * Use of psychotropic medications that may interfere with neuropsychological assessment.