Application effects of WeChat platform in improving cognitive function training in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease after discharge from hospital

Objective To explore the effects of WeChat platform in improving cognitive function training in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) after discharge from the hospital, and to slow down the disease progression, and to improve their self-care ability and the quality of life. Methods The WeChat group was established, ninety patients with mild AD were divided into the experimental group and the control group. The control group regularly issued health education knowledge in the WeChat. On the basis of control group, the experimental group published daily training plans through WeChat, They tried to complete the practice with their families' help and give feedbacks for those training videos or photos. The nurses were responsible for giving guidance and periodic support. The compliance, activities of daily living (ADL) , mini-mental state examination (MMSE) , Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) , and the world health organization quality of life measurement scale short form (WHOQOL-BREF) were compared before and after the intervention. Results In the experimental group, the cognitive level was slightly improved, and the self-care ability and the quality of life were significantly improved after the training intervention compared with the scores before the intervention (P<0.05) . However, the cognitive level, the self-care ability, and the quality of life in the control group sustained or slightly reduced after the intervention. Conclusions The cognitive function training based on WeChat platform can delay the disease development and can improve the self-care ability and the quality of life in patients with mild AD after discharge from the hospital. Key words: Alzheimer's disease; Quality of life; Cognitive training; WeChat