MentAlzh: Mobile Application Prototype for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v19i16.54837

Keywords:

Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Mobile Application, Early cognitive screening

Abstract


The increasing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases has raised a pressing need for practical tools to detect mild cognitive impairment in its early stages. This study presents MentAlzh, a mobile app prototype that employs an interactive multimedia approach to cognitive assessment, adapting traditional methods. The app was developed using the design thinking methodology to engage the end-user; the prototype encompasses six cognitive tests inspired by established methods, focusing on orientation, clock drawing, fixation, language, calculation, and memory. A group of 21 participants, aged between 51 and 76, evaluated the app regarding usability, accuracy, and repeatability. Results demonstrated consistent performance on orientation and fixation tasks, while variability on memory and clock drawing tests indicated potential areas for further refinement. The MentAlzh prototype was found to have the potential to serve as an accessible and user-friendly tool for early cognitive screening.

Author Biographies

Andrés F. Hurtado, Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, Cali, Colombia

Andrés Felipe Hurtado Banguero, an electronic engineer, obtained his degree from the Universidad del Valle in 2002. He is a professor and researcher at the Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali. He has extensive experience in developing technological projects in the industrial sector. His specialization is the interconnection of technologies of the CIM Pyramid, including MES and ERP systems. He has worked as a consultant and director of Industry 4.0 projects, with a focus on IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) enabled technology. Presently, he is pursuing a PhD in Engineering at the Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, where his research is centered on Information Visualization in Industrial Processes.

 

Kelly D. Marín, Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, Cali, Colombia

Kelly Daniella Marín Montealegre is a professor and researcher at the Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali. Her areas of expertise include computer graphics, web development, and mixed reality. She obtained her bachelor's degree in multimedia engineering from the Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali in 2018. She subsequently earned a master's degree in video game design and development from the University of La Rioja in 2023. Her research and professional experience encompass the domains of gamification, mobile applications, and augmented reality, with a particular focus on the development of interactive tools for education and healthcare. She has actively participated in academic events concerning digital transformation and education.

Carlos M. Paredes, Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, Cali, Colombia

Carlos Mario Paredes Valencia is a mechatronic engineer at the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in 2016 and his doctorate in engineering in 2022. He is currently a professor and researcher at the Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, specializing in control systems, signal processing, machine learning, and computing. He has led projects in the fields of computer vision, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence, contributing to academic and technological development at his institution.

Daniel Gómez, Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, Cali, Colombia

Daniel Gómez Giraldo is a multimedia engineer who graduated from the Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali in 2022. He possesses experience in various programming languages and software applications, including Unity, C#, JavaScript, Python, Adobe, 3DS Max, and Pro Tools.

Andrés Rey Piedrahita, Unidad Central del Valle del Cauca, Tuluá, Colombia

Andrés Rey Piedrahita is a professor and researcher at UCEVA in Colombia. He obtained his PhD in Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente in 2022, where his research focused on strategies to enhance transparency in open government data ecosystems. Additionally, he holds a Master's degree in Engineering from the same university, obtained in 2017, for his work on the application of crowdsourcing in public procurement and e-government. In addition, he holds a Master's degree in Telematics Engineering from the University of Vigo (2011), with a focus on e-learning in multi-user 3D virtual environments. His academic background also includes a Specialization in Telematics from the Universidad del Cauca (2003) and an undergraduate degree in Electronic Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (2001).His research areas include software, advanced digital design, and green technologies.

Cover iJIM – Vol 19, No 16, 2025

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Published

2025-08-27

How to Cite

Hurtado, A. F., Marín, K. D., Paredes, C. M., Gómez, D., & Rey Piedrahita, A. (2025). MentAlzh: Mobile Application Prototype for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 19(16), pp. 77–92. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v19i16.54837

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 16 (2025)

Section

Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Andrés F. Hurtado, Kelly D. Marín, Carlos M. Paredes, Daniel Gómez, Andrés Rey Piedrahita

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.