Activities of Daily Living, Alzheimer Disease, Caregiver Burden, Dementia, Quality of Life
Conditions
Keywords
Alzheimer disease, Dementia, Caregiver burden, activities of daily living, Assistive technology
Brief summary
The study investigated a six-week randomized controlled trial study in a small cohort of 16 family caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Family caregivers used assistive technology in the form of visual mapping software on smart devices in the experimental condition to support their care recipients in carrying out activities of daily living. Family caregivers in the control condition viewed educational videos about dementia care on their devices in supporting their individuals. The intervention was implemented for a total of 6 weeks. The investigators hypothesized that compared to the caregivers using educational videos, the caregivers using assistive technology will report improved quality of life and completion of activities of daily living for their care recipients, all the while reducing caregiver's burden and stress.
Interventions
DEVICEThe MapHabit system
The MapHabit System (MHS) is a commercially available visual mapping software application that utilize visual, audio, and text media to create step-by-step visual guides to assist individuals and their caregivers in structuring and accomplishing activities of daily living (ADLs). The goal of the application is to develop and facilitate habits and routines using structured visual and auditory stimuli that can be customized by the user and can include educational and lesson-based material in addition to ADLs. The application was made available to families through compatible smartphones and tablets. The MHS is a general wellness product and there is no regulatory oversight of the MapHabit System mapping functionality. This functionality is not a regulated medical device.
DEVICEDementia educational videos
Investigators collected publicly available educational videos regarding dementia-related caregiving and support. The videos were made available to participants through compatible tablets.
Sponsors
CaringKind
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
MapHabit, Inc.
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Statistical analyses of all data were carried out independently of investigators by a biostatistical resource department of an academic health center for validation.
Intervention model description
This randomized controlled trial assigned participants to two conditions: the experimental condition that implemented the assistive technology intervention and the control condition that implemented educational videos
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Individual diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other related dementia (ADRD) * Participating caregiver of individual with dementia must be the primary caregiver * Proficient in English
Exclusion criteria
* Individual not diagnosed with ADRD * Participating caregiver of individual with dementia is NOT the primary caregiver * Not proficient in English
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL) from baseline at 6 weeks | Pre-Post: The assessment was administered at the beginning and end of the study's duration (6-week study). | Assesses an individual with dementia's ability to carry out activities of daily living. The total score ranges from 0-53, with a higher score representing better performance in completing activities of daily living by the individual with dementia. |
| Change in Margaret Blenkner Research Center (MBRC) Caregiver Strain instrument from baseline at 6 weeks | Pre-Post: The assessment was administered at the beginning and end of the study's duration (6-week study). | 14-item questionnaire assessing the various stresses caregivers experienced related to caring for an individual with cognitive impairment. The total score ranges from 0-42, with a higher score reflecting higher stress and burden on the caregiver. |
| Quality of Life - 18 (QoL-18) | The instrument was administered to the participants after the completion of the study duration (6-week study | 18-item quality-of-life questionnaire (QoL-18) evaluated a range of participants' behaviors, including mood, engagement, and memory at the end of the study compared to before the use of the MHS. The instrument is scored on a Likert Scale, ranging from 1-5. A higher number indicates better outcome. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2-item Satisfaction Scale (SS-2) | The instrument was administered to the participants after the completion of the study duration (6-week study | quantified caregivers' endorsements to two survey questions: How satisfied were they with the MHS? Would they recommend MHS to others? |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed