A Robot-assisted Tailored Activity Programme for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers

This is a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the feasiblity and preliminary efficacy of the robot-assisted tailored activity programme on improving the physical inactivity of people with dementia and their caregivers. Sixty dyads will be rectuited. Participants in the intervention group will receive a 12-week tailored activity programme, while those in the control group will receive usal community care services. Outcomes including feasibility of the tailored acitivity programme, physical activity levels, self-efficacy in physical activity, dyadic quality of life, neuropsychiatric somptoms, and psychological wellbeing will be measured at baseline and immediately post intervention.

Inclusion criteria

for people with dementia:

• mild to moderate stage dementia at a standardized mini-mental state examination score (MMSE) higher than 10;
• be able to walk independently;
• being physically inactive (categorized as "low/inactive" by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire);
• free from other medical/functional conditions that would limit physical activity.

Exclusion criteria

for people with dementia:

• high risk of falling (Berg Balance Scale <45);
• not be suitable for doing physical activity as recommended by the primary care physician;
• currently involved in another interventional study involving physical exercise;
• had acute hospitalization >3 times in the past year.

Inclusion criteria

for caregivers:

• primary informal caregivers who reside with the of the person with dementia;
• have provided care for more than six months;
• have no intention to send the care recipient to nursing homes in the next six months;
• being physically inactive;
• use a smartphone.

Exclusion criteria

for caregivers:

• caregivers with unstable physical or mental conditions;
• cannot communicate logically;
• not suitable for doing physical activity as recommended by a primary care physician.