Assistive Technology and Reduced Caregiver Burden

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Utilizing Assistive Technology to Reduce Caregiver Burden and Enhance Quality of Life in Individuals Living With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Conditions
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Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Caregiver Burden, Quality of Life, Activities of Daily Living

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: The MapHabit system
* Device: Dementia educational videos


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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
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: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional 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
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Experimental condition<br>This condition implemented the assistive technology in question: the MapHabit System (MHS). 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 application was made available to families through compatible tablets. | Device: The MapHabit system<br>* 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.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control condition<br>The control condition acted as the active comparator to the experimental condition. This condition implemented educational videos focused on Alzheimer's disease, dementia care, and caregiver support. The videos were made available to caregivers through compatible tablets. | Device: Dementia educational videos<br>* Investigators collected publicly available educational videos regarding dementia-related caregiving and support. The videos were made available to participants through compatible tablets.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL) from baseline at 6 weeks | 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. | Pre-Post: The assessment was administered at the beginning and end of the study's duration (6-week study). | 
| Change in Margaret Blenkner Research Center (MBRC) Caregiver Strain instrument from baseline at 6 weeks | 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. | Pre-Post: The assessment was administered at the beginning and end of the study's duration (6-week study). | 
| Quality of Life - 18 (QoL-18) | 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. | The instrument was administered to the participants after the completion of the study duration (6-week study | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2-item Satisfaction Scale (SS-2) | quantified caregivers' endorsements to two survey questions: How satisfied were they with the MHS? Would they recommend MHS to others? | The instrument was administered to the participants after the completion of the study duration (6-week study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Alzheimer disease, Dementia, Caregiver burden, activities of daily living, Assistive technology