Talk-to-Jo" Intelligent Digital Health Companion, Neurocognitive Disorders and Dyads

Summary

By 2050, one in six people in the world will be over 65, leading to an increase in the number of people with neurocognitive disorders (NCD), such as Alzheimer's disease. The number of cases will rise from 57 million to 153 million by 2050. This presents challenges for healthcare systems, as NCDs affect not only mental health but also the physical health, psychological well-being, and social relationships of patients, as well as their caregivers (PCA).

In Quebec, primary care is often inadequate for people living with NCDs due to delays in accessing resources, incomplete coverage of needs, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated these challenges. This situation can lead to a deterioration in patients' health, affecting their quality of life as well as that of their PCAs, while also increasing healthcare costs.

Many elderly people wish to age at home, but cognitive and functional decline complicates this desire. PCAs, generally family members or close friends, play an essential role in the daily support of these individuals. Their role, as defined in the Act to support caregivers in Quebec, includes non-professional and voluntary assistance to improve the quality of life of the person being cared for.

However, the support provided by PCAs can lead to significant stress, especially if public services are insufficient. The exhaustion of PCAs is often correlated with the severity of the care recipient's loss of autonomy. This exhaustion impacts the mental and physical health of PCAs, leading to isolation, depression, and anxiety, as well as reduced productivity and an increase in sick leave. It is therefore urgent to find support solutions to prevent PCA burnout.

Telehealth, which involves remote consultations through information and communication technologies (ICT), appears to be a promising solution to improve access to care for people with NCDs, especially in underserved areas. By enabling remote monitoring, telehealth facilitates aging in place while stimulating the remaining capacities of patients, such as responsiveness to sensory stimuli.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also a promising tool for tracking the health of older adults in real-time, detecting early signs of diseases, and providing personalized recommendations. Virtual assistants or avatars, like "Talk-to-Jo," can interact with patients to reduce their sense of loneliness. However, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their accessibility and adaptability to the needs of patients, particularly in cases of sensory impairments.

"Talk-to-Jo" is a digital avatar designed for older adults with NCDs and their PCAs. It asks questions about memory and depression and provides tailored recommendations to prevent or stabilize detected disorders. A first version of this tool is currently available on a tablet.

With the growing number of people living with NCDs, it is essential to develop support solutions based on telemedicine and AI. It is important to assess the usability and acceptability of these technologies by patients and their PCAs to ensure their effectiveness.

Conditions

• Caregiver
• Neurocognitive Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Talk-To-Jo

Participation begins with the completion of a socio-demographic questionnaire. Next, participants test the Talk-to-Jo intelligent digital health companion on a tablet: first, a member of the research team explains the tool to the dyad (person with a neurocognitive disorder and their caregiver). The person with the disorder then interacts with Talk-to-Jo, possibly with the help of their caregiver. An observer is present, but does not intervene unless there are questions or technical problems. At the end of the test, health recommendations are given. Questions focus on the participant's memory and depression. Next, a 30-minute interview is conducted with a member of the research team to gather impressions of the tool, digital skills, barriers and facilitators to using AI, as well as your expectations of Talk-to-Jo. An additional individual interview can be arranged if required.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre integre universitaire de sante et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Olivier Beauchet

  lead OTHER_GOV

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-12

Primary Completion

2026-02-28

Completion

2026-10-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations