Assistive Technology and Reduced Caregiver Burden

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Alzheimer Disease
• Dementia
• Caregiver Burden
• Quality of Life
• Activities of Daily Living

Interventions

DEVICE

The MapHabit system

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.

DEVICE

Dementia educational videos

Investigators collected publicly available educational videos regarding dementia-related caregiving and support. The videos were made available to participants through compatible tablets.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CaringKind

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  collaborator NIH

• MapHabit, Inc.

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Stuart Zola, PhD · MapHabit, Inc.

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-02-02

Primary Completion

2021-08-15

Completion

2021-09-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations