The utility of a cognitive function assessment tool for detecting psychological and physical factors contributing to impaired cognitive abilities in workers

Abstract

The research aimed to assess an AI-based cognitive function decline screening tool, “ONSEI^Ⓡ”, in detecting for impaired cognitive abilities due to psychological and physical factors. A total of 153 workers were recruited who performed the ONSEI^Ⓡ assessment, which determined possibility of cognitive impairment in the case of positive reaction, and answered the questionnaires using their smartphones. Participants received daily reminder emails for 60 days, prompting them to perform the ONSEI^Ⓡ assessment and answer a questionnaire containing items pertaining to their everyday life. On the last day, we conducted a survey on the changes in awareness regarding health after participating in this study. Daily surveys showed that subjective mood decline or anxiety was significantly associated with positive results on the ONSEI^Ⓡ. However, subjective physical discomfort on the day of assessment, and sleep disturbance, and excessive alcohol consumption on the previous day were not. The post-study questionnaire revealed changes in the perception of mental health, and efforts toward appropriate sleep and hydration. The ONSEI^Ⓡ lacked sufficient detection sensitivity for impaired cognitive abilities due to psychological and physical factors. However, repetition of the ONSEI^Ⓡ assessment and asking about everyday life might promote awareness of, and behavioral changes in, psychological and physical health.