Telephone-based cognitive therapy matches in-person clinical benchmarks

The research, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London, tracked older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. Conducted alongside University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers, the study focused on a model developed by Moneta Health that pairs weekly sessions with a licensed speech therapist with personalized exercises guided by a voice-based AI assistant.

Clinical results showed improvement across four key measures: patient-reported quality of life, therapist-rated cognition, language comprehension, and expressive language. Between 71 and 94 percent of participants saw measurable gains, with therapist-rated performance metrics meeting or exceeding national standards set by the ASHA National Outcomes Measurement System.

Paul A. Campbell, CEO of Moneta Health, emphasized that the model specifically targets the accessibility crisis in neurology. With one in three adults over 65 experiencing cognitive impairment, the company aims to bypass the barriers of outpatient clinic visits by utilizing standard telephone lines. The program is currently covered by insurance providers in Florida, Montana, Nevada, Washington, and West Virginia.