Healthy Adults Aged 50 and Over
Conditions
Keywords
Dementia, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Volunteer-led intervention, Young-old volunteers, BrainLive Connect, Sense of competence
Brief summary
The goal of this mixed method clinical trial is to evaluate whether BrainLive Coach training can enhance knowledge, skills, and wellbeing among young old volunteers. The main question it aims to answer are: • Do trained BrainLive Coaches demonstrate greater CST-related knowledge/skills, self-efficacy, and improved quality of life compared with volunteers receiving only educational materials? Researchers will compare the BrainLive Coach training group vs. general service group (young old volunteers) to see whether the intervention leads to enhanced dementia knowledge, sense of competence in dementia care, and approaches to dementia. Participants will be: 1. Adults aged 50 and over - volunteers (nRCT) * Participate in either 80-90 hours of BrainLive Coach training followed by volunteering in BrainLive Connect or receive educational materials on dementia and cognitive health. * Complete assessments at baseline (T0) and post intervention (T1) on dementia knowledge, competence in dementia care, self-efficacy, attitudes to dementia, quality of life, and social capital. 2. Qualitative study participants • Take part in individual interviews or focus groups, including trained volunteers, and NGO staff, to explore perceived impacts, mechanisms, implementation facilitators/barriers, and areas for improvement.
Detailed description
The research design is a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), involving 90 healthy adults aged 50 and over in the experimental group (Training group) who will receive 80-90 hours of BrainLive Coach Training, and another 90 young-old in the control group (Education group) who will receive educational workshops for comparison. Data will be collected at two time points: baseline (T0) and after the completion of BrainLive Connect volunteering (T1). Participants in the control group (N=90) will be recruited from the HKU network. During the evaluation period, control group participants will attend educational workshops focused on dementia and cognitive health. The BrainLive Coach training aims to enhance the skills and knowledge for delivering evidence-based dementia intervention (Primary outcomes); and improve self-efficacy, quality of life, and social capital of the young-old individuals. The outcome measures include Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool, Sense of Competence in Dementia Care, Approaches to Dementia, General Self-efficacy scale, Quality of Life and social capital assessment tool.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALBrainLive Coach training
Volunteers will be trained, supervised and supported to deliver one of three modes of CST (Exercise-enhanced CST, Home2Community CST, Living CST). Basic level training covering topics fundamental to dementia education and common across different CST modes to all recruited volunteers; and then advanced level training covering knowledge and skills specific to each CST mode and service settings.
OTHEROther intervention
Volunteers will receive dementia-related educational materials
Sponsors
The University of Hong Kong
Simon K.Y.Lee Foundation
Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service
Christian Family Service Centre
Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
The BrainLive Connect Model will be delivered by trained "young-old" volunteers, whom the investigators refer to as BrainLive Volunteers. Their participation enhances the delivery of the model and fosters social connections and promotes active ageing among the volunteers themselves. Volunteers will be trained, supervised and supported to deliver CST. Basic level training will cover topics fundamental to dementia education and common across different CST modes for all recruited volunteers, followed by advanced level training covering knowledge and skills specific to each CST mode and service settings.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Hong Kong residents * Aged 50 and over * Had education level of Form 3 or above * Fluent in Cantonese * Able to read and write Chinese
Exclusion criteria
Unable to communicate and participate in interviews/training/intervention due to hearing impairment, visual impairment, or other conditions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool (DKAT) | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 0 - 21, with higher scores indicate better knowledge |
| Sense of Competence in Dementia Care (SCIDC) | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 17 - 68, with higher scores indicate better sense of competence in dementia care |
| Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ) | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 19 - 95, with higher scores indicate more positive and person-centered attitude |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 0 - 30, with higher scores indicate greater social support and engagement. A total score of 12 or less is commonly used as a cut-off point to identify individuals at risk for social isolation |
| QoL: 8-item WHO quality of life scale | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 8 - 40, with higher scores indicate better quality of life |
| The General Self-Efficacy Scale | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 10 - 40, with higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy |
| Bidirectional Social Support (2-Way SSS) | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 0 - 60, with higher scores indicate more bidirectional social support |
| Sense of belonging | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 16 - 80, with higher scores indicate better sense of belonging |
| Meaning in life | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 10 - 70, with higher scores indicate better meaning in life |
| Well-being | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 7 - 35, with higher scores indicate better well-being |
| Caregiver burden | Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1) | Possible range: 0 - 48, with higher scores indicate higher caregiver burden |
Countries
Hong Kong
Contacts
CONTACTJACKY CP CHOY, PhD
CONTACTShiyu LU, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORShiyu LU, PhD
The University of Hong Kong
Outcome results
None listed