A Study to Evaluate Caregiver Connections Via Technology for Patients With Alzheimer's and Other Types of Dementia

Mayo Clinic

Status: Withdrawn

Conditions: Alzheimer Dementia; Frontotemporal Dementia; Lewy Body Dementia; Parkinson Disease Dementia; Dementia; Caregiver Stress

Treatments: Behavioral: Algorithm; Behavioral: Random Match

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05497817

R44AG065088 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

20-013202

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research is being done to develop a unique matching process for caregivers of persons living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal degeneration, or other dementia syndromes. Dementia caregivers often assume greater caregiving burden than do non-dementia caregivers, and the caregiving duration tends to be longer. Many caregivers do not have the adequate support they need. Peer-to-peer support has been shown to improve quality of life, increase use of services, improve caregiver health, and reduce hospitalizations in the person they are caring for. This study will assess a technology platform and matching process for the purpose of peer-to-peer emotional support aimed at improving overall wellbeing in dementia care partners/caregivers.

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Individuals in a current or former caregiving role for a family member living with dementia will be recruited for this study. There will be no sex or gender restrictions, or exclusion based on race or ethnicity. Participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The participant must have a family member that has been diagnosed with dementia.
• The participant must identify as a Care Partner or Caregiver who has contact with their loved one with dementia, in person or by phone, and who provides social/emotional support and full or partial assistance with daily activities at least 3 days per week.
• The participant must have been caring for their loved one with dementia for at least 3 months.
• All participants must have access to a computer and be able to use the internet.
• All participants must be English speaking.
• All participants must agree to participate in the 15-month study, which includes completing questionnaires, brief "virtual" interactions with the study coordinator quarterly, and actively interacting with the website and potential matches.
• All participants must agree to follow-up contact throughout the duration of the study, which is anticipated to last 3 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Care Partner's loved one does not have a confirmed diagnosis of dementia.
• Care Partner is unable to provide consent.
• Care Partner was or has been in that role for less than 3 months.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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0 participants in 2 patient groups

Algorithmically Matched

Experimental group

Description:

Individuals that identify as a current and/or former Care Partner for a person with dementia will be matched to other care partners using an algorithm based on personal preferences.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Algorithm

Randomly Matched

Active Comparator group

Description:

Individuals that identify as a current and/or former Care Partner for a person with dementia will be randomly matched to other care partners.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Random Match