The Coimagination Method and its Evaluation via the Conversation Interactivity Measuring Method

Abstract

The causes of dementia are divided into genetic factors and cognitive factors. To prevent dementia by reducing the cognitive factors, the authors of this chapter have developed the coimagination method to activate three cognitive functions that decline at an early stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI): episodic memory, division of attention, and planning function. The coimagination method supports interactive conversation through expressing feelings about images according to a theme. Allocated time periods and turns for each participant are predetermined so that all participants play the roles of both speaker and listener. Measuring the interactivity of conversation qualitatively and quantitatively has been quite difficult, but conversation interactivity may indicate the intensity of cognitive activities. This paper proposes the conversation interactivity measuring method (CIMM) to measure the intensity of cognitive activities employed during conversation using the coimagination method.