# Jigsawdio: an AudioVisual Jigsaw Puzzle for People with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's-Disease-Related Dementias

> **NIH NIH R41** · CALLAHAN-YOUNG LLC · 2022 · $499,670

## Abstract

Social isolation leads to loneliness, which is linked to depression, stress, high blood pressure, and poor sleep,
all of which accelerate cognitive decline. The prolonged social isolation that resulted from the COVID-19
pandemic has further highlighted the importance of social connection. Developing new strategies to support
AD/ADRD patients and their families is a public health priority, particularly when social and family connections
are disrupted. Jigsawdio has created an audiovisual jigsaw puzzle that combines photographs and audio
recordings of memories that can be completed alone or with others. Individual pieces are encoded with
customized audio recordings that play when the piece is set into place. Our product innovation is driven by
several premises. First, according to the Alzheimer’s Society, memory care research shows that even though a
person with ADRD may no longer recognize a loved one, their time together has a lasting, positive impact.
Second, studies have shown that the emotional state of AD/ADRD patients can be bolstered through nostalgia
and reminiscence. Despite being cognitively impaired, people with AD/ADRD experience nostalgia in a manner
similar to non-impaired adults. Reminiscence therapy (RT) uses memories and past experiences with tangible
prompts, such as photographs or music, to evoke memories and stimulate conversation. For AD/ADRD patients,
RT has been shown to have positive effects on quality of life, communication, and mood. Third, opportunities for
social experiences that evoke emotional memories can improve mood and decrease agitation in AD/ADRD
patients. Fourth, jigsaw puzzles have been shown to reduce stress and agitation. Focusing on a puzzle provides
a “breather” from stress and can enhance mood through fun, flow, and mastery. Because of the pandemic,
socially engaging activities are desperately needed. Jigsawdio has previously developed a recordable audio
puzzle prototype designed for general use. To translate this product for AD/ADRD users, we have assembled a
team with expertise in storytelling, nostalgia, AD/ADRD psychology, technology development for AD/RD users,
and mental determinants of well-being and happiness. The overall objective of this Phase I STTR proposal is to
conduct interviews to create storylines, develop a minimum viable product for AD/ADRD patients, and conduct
a usability and acceptability study with participants living in a memory care facility. To achieve these objectives,
we will complete the following aims: 1) Conduct in-depth interviews with families, caregivers, and facility staff to
collect stories of memorable events and create multiple storylines for each memory care resident. 2) Develop
customized audiovisual jigsaw puzzles for memory care residents. The Jigsawdio team will design and engineer
an MVP consisting of hardware and software designed for AD/ADRP users. 3) Determine the feasibility and
usability of the puzzles for memory care residents. The success of our Phase I p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10547341
- **Project number:** 1R41AG079736-01
- **Recipient organization:** CALLAHAN-YOUNG LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy Young
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $499,670
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10547341

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10547341, Jigsawdio: an AudioVisual Jigsaw Puzzle for People with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's-Disease-Related Dementias (1R41AG079736-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10547341. Licensed CC0.

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