Validation and Optimization of the Individual Benefits of Locating Systems in Dementia Care

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The project aims to make new technologies for locating people with dementia easier to use for the patients and those caring for them. Objective: To systematically understand what improves the user experience of persons with dementia (PwD) and their primary caregivers (CG) with locating system watches to ultimately allow users to obtain more benefits from using these watches. Aim: Improving the user experience of PwD and CG with locating system watches using a cross-over design and a theory-based educational session approach.

Detailed Description
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This entire research field (assistive technology in dementia care) is based on the need to address care solutions for a growing number of PwD and CG in the absence of a cure for (Alzheimer's) dementia. Methods: A user study with two free available locating watches. In educational sessions PwD obtain a locating watch and their CG a smartphone with the application of the locating watch installed on it. By using a cross-over design each dyad (PwD and CG) obtaining both locating systems. The designed educational session hopefully ease subsequent use and make it more enjoyable. The dyads will use each system over four weeks in their real environment.

Official Title
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Assistive Technology for Dementia: Validation and Optimization of the Individual Benefits of Locating Systems in Dementia Care (VODINO)

Conditions
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Dementia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Locating system watch with GPS-technology


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: diagnosis of all kinds of dementia or mild cognitive impairment Exclusion Criteria: not able to move outside alone
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Himatic locating system<br>Locating system watch with GPS-technology (free available) Main functions: telephone function and location upon request via smartphone | Device: Locating system watch with GPS-technology<br>* Patients using locating system watches with embedded global positioning system (GPS) technology and telephone function; Caregivers using a Smartphone with an installed application to see the current location of the patient and with the possibility to call the patient<br>|
| Other: ReSOS locating system<br>Locating system watch with GPS-technology (free available) Main functions: telephone function and location upon request via smartphone | Device: Locating system watch with GPS-technology<br>* Patients using locating system watches with embedded global positioning system (GPS) technology and telephone function; Caregivers using a Smartphone with an installed application to see the current location of the patient and with the possibility to call the patient<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Usability | ISONORM 9241/10 questionnaire (Prümper, 1997) | 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Caregiver burden | Zarit Burden Interview (German version: Braun etal., 2010) | 8 weeks | 
| Acceptance and Practicability | Five-point likert scales and qualitative interview with open-ended questions | 8 weeks | 
| Subjective quality of life | European Health Interview Survey-Quality of Life (German version: Brähler et al., 2007) | 8 weeks | 
| Activities of Daily Living | BAYER-ADL (Hindmarch, 1998) | 8 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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assistive technology, dementia care, tracking technology, locating systems, user experience