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Wearables-and Blood-based Biomarkers-incorporated Modernisation of Circadian Rhythm Disruption Management in People Living With Alzheimer's Dementia: A Stepwise Study From Digital Inclusivity, Digital Therapy, to Digital Phenotyping and Biomarker Exploration

NCT07222449 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 162

Last updated 2026-02-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

By 2025, Taiwan will become a super-aged society, with the number of Alzheimer's disease patients continuing to rise. However, the vast majority of dementia patients experience "behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia" (BPSD), such as circadian rhythm disruptions and sleep disorders, which are not only difficult to assess accurately but also lack safe and effective treatments. If "wearable devices" can be accepted by elderly dementia patients, they may bring groundbreaking changes to both assessment and treatment approaches.

This project builds upon previous research and outcomes funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Ministry of Education, and the UK Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK). Over four years, the project will begin by exploring "digital inclusivity" to validate the feasibility of research-grade actigraphy devices for dementia patients in Taiwan and establish a prototype research platform for wearable devices for these patients. Subsequently, in collaboration with Harvard University, the project will conduct a double-blind, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of wearable photobiomodulation (PBM) devices in improving sleep, circadian rhythm disturbances, and other BPSD, as well as assess the user experience of integrating these two devices into a "digital therapy" model for both patients and caregivers.

Finally, the project will integrate wearable device data, patient clinical symptoms, and longitudinal results from four years of tracking the latest Alzheimer's blood-based biomarkers. In collaboration with Europe's largest remote dementia care team, RADAR-AD, the project will analyze potential digital phenotypes of dementia, explore the interactions among circadian rhythm disturbances, cognitive decline rates, and biomarkers, and establish a three-dimensional assessment model for dementia patients encompassing "clinical symptoms (both cognitive and non-cognitive)," "lifestyle and functionality," and "biological markers." This innovative approach aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding and treatment of dementia.

Conditions

  • Alzheimer Disease

Interventions

DEVICE

Photobiomodulation

A near-infrared photobiomodulation wearable device.

DEVICE

Sham (No Treatment)

Participants allocated to this arm will receive neglectable photobiomodulation for up to 8 weeks, using a sham wearable headband.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    collaborator OTHER

  • King's College London

    collaborator OTHER

  • China Medical University Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-01
Primary Completion
2027-09-30
Completion
2029-07-31
FDA Device
Yes

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07222449 on ClinicalTrials.gov