Encouraging Cognitive Screenings at African American Churches

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This pilot study plans to examine feasibility and outcomes of a culturally/religiously-tailored church-based dementia screening intervention among older adult African American church members and community members who use church outreach services in 4 African American churches.

Detailed Description
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The primary aim of this study is to conduct an exploratory pilot study to examine feasibility and outcomes of a culturally/religiously-tailored church-based dementia screening intervention among older adult African American church members and community members who use church outreach services in 4 African American churches (N=100). Our secondary outcomes are to assess the impact of the intervention on dementia-related stigma and linkage to care. Intervention content is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior; intervention delivery is based on the Social-Ecological Model - both guided by a faith community engagement approach. Trained faith leaders will deliver the tailored intervention through multilevel church outlets: individual self-help resources (e.g., risk checklist, commitment to screening cards); group ministry discussion guides/seminar on dementia; church-wide services using sermon guides, responsive readings, and church bulletin inserts; and church-community level text messages, dementia screening, and linkage to care services. Two screening events will be held at each church. We will also conduct a process evaluation that will include post-test study focus groups. Specific Aim 1. Test a religiously/culturally-tailored, church-based dementia screening intervention on receipt of dementia screening, stigma, and linkage to care use among an older adult African American church-populations at 4 months. Hypothesis. The tailored church-based dementia screening intervention will evidence increased screening and linkage to care rates, and lower dementia-related stigma beliefs at 4 months. Specific Aim 2. Evaluate predictors of receipt of dementia screening at 4 months among older adult African American church-populations to determine modifiable screening facilitators/barriers. Specific Aim 3. Conduct a process evaluation to examine study intervention implementation facilitators, barriers, and dose along with exposure and satisfaction to identify essential intervention components.

Official Title
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A Church-based Intervention for Increasing Screening for Dementia Among African American Older Adults (ADC Pilot): Project Grace

Conditions
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Dementia, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Project Grace


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥55 Regular church member (attending church > monthly) or community member receiving church outreach services (>3 times annually) Willing to participate in two surveys (baseline and 4 months) Willing to provide contact information for at least 2 other persons Residing in the Kansas City metropolitan area Provide a working contact email address or number Exclusion Criteria: None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Project Grace<br>This intervention will be delivered through church-based multilevel activities by trained church leaders using religiously/ culturally-tailored study materials (sermon guides, responsive readings, educational games, brochures, educational/testimonial videos) packaged in a culturally-tailored. Intervention churches will receive the Project Grace Tool Kit and intervention implementation directions to seek cognitive screening. These churches will hold a Project Grace Kickoff event, where a sermon, and other tool kit materials will be distributed. After the Kick-off, liaisons will deliver 1-2 Tool Kit materials/activities per month through targeted multilevel church activities over 4 months. Delivery of intervention components will coincide with existing, multilevel activities that occur in churches through: a) church-wide services, b) outreach ministry groups; and c) individual level activities (e.g., text/voice/email health promotion messages from church) over 4 months. | Behavioral: Project Grace<br>* A multilevel church-based intervention to encourage cognitive screens and brain health.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Standard Control<br>Standard information churches will receive standard dementia education information. These churches will receive: a) non-tailored project materials collected from mental health organizations and b) standard community-based mental health screening events) coordinated by their Community Health Liaisons. These churches will receive all Project Grace Tool Kit materials and implementation training after the completion of assessments. | Behavioral: Project Grace<br>* A multilevel church-based intervention to encourage cognitive screens and brain health.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants Who Received a Cognitive Screening | Question at 4 months from baseline asking whether the participant has received a cognitive screening within the last 4 months | 4 months from baseline | 
| Number of Participants Who Were Linked to Care Services | Question at 4 months from baseline asking whether the participant has received a linkage to care services within the last 4 months | 4 months from baseline |