A Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM)

University of Miami

Status: Completed

Conditions: Social Support (Formal and Informal); Well-being/Quality of Life; Social Isolation

Treatments: Behavioral: PRISM B: Notebook Condition; Behavioral: PRISM C: Computer Condition

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01497613

20100482

Details and patient eligibility

About

Although technology offers great potential for enhancing the health and well-being of older adults, robust studies are needed to quantify the value of technology and further the investigators understanding of barriers to technology access among older adults and of strategies that are effective in removing these barriers. This cross-site randomized field trial will evaluate a simple to use Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM) designed to support social connectivity, memory, skill building and resource access for older adults. The PRISM system (PRISM C condition) will be compared to an notebook information control condition (PRISM B condition). The target population is older adults who live at home alone and are at risk for isolation. The goal of the study is to gather systematic evidence about the value of technology for older adults and to identify factors that affect use and usability, acceptance and technology adoption. The investigators will also gather longitudinal data on the benefits of the system. Participants aged 65 - 85 years (100 per site) will be randomly assigned following baseline assessment to one of two conditions: PRISM C condition where participants receive the technology system or the PRISM B condition only control where participants receive a notebook that includes information similar to that provided in PRISM C (e.g., resource guide). The categories of information provided in the notebook is similar to the features provided on the system. Participants will include males and females who do not have a home computer and who have limited Internet experience. The intervention period is 12 months. A battery of measures that includes demographic information, attitudes towards technology (including computer self-efficacy and computer comfort), technology, computer and Internet experience, functional independence and well-being, emotional well-being social support/isolation, and quality of life will be administered at baseline, and 6 and 12 months post randomization. In addition, the investigators will assess cognitive abilities at baseline and twelve months. The investigators will also gather data regarding technology use and social interactions via a brief telephone interview at 18 months post randomization.

Enrollment: 300 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 65+ years
• Live alone in the community in an independent residence
• Minimum computer and Internet use in the past three months
• English speaking
• Able to read English at the 6th grade level
• Has a telephone
• 20/60 Vision with or without correction
• Not employed or volunteering more than 5 hrs/week
• Does not spend more than 10 hrs./week at a Senior Center or Formal organization
• Planning to remain in the area in same living arrangements for duration of intervention period

Exclusion criteria

• Blind or deaf
• Cognitively impaired (MMSE) < 26
• Fuld Object Memory Test < 20 or 19
• Terminal illness
• Severe motor impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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300 participants in 2 patient groups

PRISM B: Notebook Condition

Active Comparator group

Description:

Telephone check-in calls and a notebook containing similar categories of information as the features on the PRISM C computer system such as a resource guide; games; classroom and information, calendar.

Treatment:

Behavioral: PRISM B: Notebook Condition

PRISM C: Computer Condition

Experimental group

Description:

A computer-based system designed to support socialization and access to resources; knowledge and prospective memory. The system is placed in the homes of those randomized to the condition for 12 months.

Treatment:

Behavioral: PRISM C: Computer Condition