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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01497613

A Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Social Isolation Behavior Social Behavior Social Support (Formal and Informal) Well-being/Quality of Life

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Miami

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

PRISM C: Computer Condition

Behavioral

A specialized computer system designed to support social connectivity and access to resources; knowledge and prospective memory

PRISM B: Notebook Condition

Behavioral

Telephone check-in calls and a notebook that contains information about community resources, games; topics of interests to seniors; a calendar and contact list.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Social Isolation Measured by Friendship Scale

    Time frame: Baseline and 6th month

    Measures the level of social isolation from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Lower score means less social isolation. Range (0-24) .

  2. Change in Level of Social Support Measured by Social Support Scale

    Time frame: Baseline and 6th month

    Measures the level of social support from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more social support. Range (6-36).

  3. Change Overall Well-being Measured by SF-36 Overall Well-being Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline and 6th month

    Use the SF-36 scale to measure the overall well-being from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score indicates more peaceful, happy, and calm. Range (0-100)

  4. Change in Social Isolation Measured by Friendship Scale

    Time frame: Baseline and 12th month

    Measures the level of social isolation from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Lower score means less social isolation. Range (0-24) .

  5. Change in Level of Social Support Measured by Social Support Scale

    Time frame: Baseline and 12th month

    Measures the level of social support from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more social support. Range (6-36).

  6. Change Overall Well-being Measured by SF-36 Overall Well-being Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline and 12th month

    Use the SF-36 to measure the overall well-being from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more peaceful, happy and calm. Range (0-100).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Computer Comfort Measured by Computer Attitude - Comfort Subscale .

    Time frame: baseline and 6 months

    Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer comfort from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more computer comfort. Range (5-25).

  2. Changes in Technology Proficiency Measured by Technology Proficiency Scale

    Time frame: baseline and 6 months

    Measures the level of technology proficiency from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher scores means more computer proficiency. Range (6-30)

  3. Change in Technology Adoption Measured by Technology Acceptance Questionnaire

    Time frame: baseline and 6 months

    Measure the level of technology adoption from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more acceptance. Range (6-42)

  4. Change in Computer Comfort Measured by Computer Attitude - Comfort Subscale .

    Time frame: baseline and 12 months

    Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer comfort from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more computer comfort. Range (5-25)

  5. Changes in Technology Proficiency Measured by Technology Proficiency Scale

    Time frame: baseline and 12 months

    Measures the level of technology proficiency from baseline to 12th month follow-up. A higher score means more computer proficiency. Range (6-30)

  6. Change in Technology Adoption Measured by Technology Acceptance Questionnaire

    Time frame: baseline and 12 months

    Measures the level of technology adoption from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more acceptance. Range (6-42)

  7. Change in Computer Interest Measured by Computer Attitude - Interest Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline and 6th month follow-up

    Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer interest from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more interest towards computer. Range (5-25)

  8. Change in Computer Interest Measured by Computer Attitude - Interest Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline and 12th month follow-up

    Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer interest from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more interest towards computer. Range (5-25)

  9. Change in Computer Efficacy Measured by Computer Attitude - Efficacy Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline and 6th month follow-up

    Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer efficacy from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more efficacy towards computer. Range (5-25)

  10. Change in Computer Efficacy Measured by Computer Attitude - Efficacy Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline and 12th month follow-up

    Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer efficacy from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more efficacy towards computer. Range (5-25)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Miami

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System - PRISM

Acronym: PRISM

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Dec 22, 2011
Registry last updated
Jan 23, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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