Expertise: Cognition

SAM3 Expertise Areas: Cognition

The assessment of cognition and specifically cognitive change is an emerging area of research and SAM3 researchers are exploring this through a number of methods.

Cognition Assessment Methods

Performance of Activities of Daily Living
Computer based assessment including Serious Games
Driving

A. Laghai, B. Wallace, K. Fraser, M. Kunz, R. Goubran, F. Knoefel, S. Shafiyan, N. Thomas, “Identifying Cognitive Decline via Speech and Gaze in Naturalistic Reading”, 48th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2026

A. Laghai, B. Wallace, K. Fraser, M. Kunz, R. Goubran, F. Knoefel, N. Thomas, A. Frank, S. Shafiyan, “Longitudinal Gaze-speech Cognitive Decline Biomarkers From Oral Reading”, at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), 2026.

F. Berbatovci, N. Thomas, A. Frank, B. Wallace, S. Marshall, S.Gagnon, R. Goubran, F. Knoefel, “Can A Driving Simulator Detect Differences Between Healthy Older Drivers And Those Living With Mild Cognitive Impairment?”, at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), 2026.

Laska, B., Goubran, R., Vukovic, B., Wallace, B., Ault, L., & Laghai, A. (2026). Enabling Independence: Assessing Activities of Daily Living to Inform Safety. Accessibility Institute, Carleton University.

Link to Article

IEEE Video Tutorial: “The Supportive Smart Home: Solutions Enabling Independence – Ambient Sensing, Artificial Intelligence in Ethical Context“

Smart homes helping older adults live safely and independently

NRC Article on our recent projectOne morning, an older man doesn’t go to the kitchen for breakfast as he usually does. Instead, he’s still sitting …

B. Chimehi, J. Larivière-Chartier, B. Wallace, L. Ault, F. Knoefel, J. Kaye, Z. Beattie, J. Steele, L. Anderson, N.Thomas, “Digital Signatures of Caregiver Burden: Machine Learning Classification Using Multimodal In-Home Sensor Data”, ISG 2026

A. Laghai, S. Shafiyan, N. Thomas, M. Kunz, K. Fraser, B. Wallace, R. Goubran, F. Knoefel, “Can Gaze–Speech Coupling in Reading Help Clinicians Detect Cognitive Decline Remotely?” ISG 2026

P. Masson, K. Milne, B. Wallace, B. Laska, R. Goubran, B. Vukovic, F. Knoefel, “Supportive Systems for Cognitive Health and Dementia: Survey of technology and the role of standards”, ASC Project Report, 2025.

Link to report

Ashleigh Beltempo, Tessa Murchison, Jannah Mustafa, Charles Prévost, Ayman Yaaqoubi, Hajer Chalghoumi, Emily Jones Joanisse, Rachel Sturm, Sara Aghvami, Laura Laird, Bruce Wallace, Heidi Sveistrup, “Evaluation and Comparison of an Online and an In-Person Digital Literacy Program”, AGEWELL AGM, 2025

Frank Knoefel, Heidi Sveistrup, Emma Daoust, Cassandra Druken, Noel de Sasio, Marla Calder, Krista Whitney, “Usability of a New Supportive Smart Home Technology Readiness Assessment Tool: Perspectives of Occupational Therapists”, AGEWELL AGM, 2025

Sina Shafiyan, Neil Thomas, Manuela Kunz, Kathleen Fraser, Bruce Wallace, Rafik Goubran, Amir Laghai, Frank Knoefel, “Saccadic Markers of Cognitive Decline: Preliminary Findings from a Multimodal Eye Movement and Speech Assessment”, AGEWELL AGM, 2025

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