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NCT Number: NCT05779839

A Study of Caregiver Connections Via Technology in Dementia

This research is being done to develop a unique matching process for caregivers of persons living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal degeneration, or other dementia syndromes. Dementia caregivers often assume greater caregiving burden than do non-dementia caregivers, and the caregiving duration tends to be longer. Many caregivers do not have the adequate support they need. Peer-to-peer support has been shown to improve quality of life, more engagement with services, improve caregiver health, and reduce hospitalizations in the person they are caring for. This study will help determine whether caregivers of persons with dementia would find a technology-based caregiver matching program valuable for the purpose of emotional support.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Caregiver Stress Alzheimer Disease Basal Ganglia Diseases Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Brain Diseases Caregiver Burden Central Nervous System Diseases Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Lewy Body Dementia Lewy Body Disease Mental Disorders Metabolic Diseases Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Parkinson Disease Dementia Parkinsonian Disorders Proteostasis Deficiencies Stress, Psychological Synucleinopathies TDP-43 Proteinopathies Tauopathies

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • The participant must have a family member that has been diagnosed with one of the following forms of dementia: Parkinson's/Lewy body dementia, any frontotemporal lobar degeneration dementia, or Alzheimer's dementia.
  • The participant must identify as a care partner or caregiver who has contact with their loved one with dementia, in person or by phone, and provides social/emotional support and full or partial assistance with daily activities at least 3 days per week.
  • The participant must have been caring for their loved one with dementia for at least 3 months.
  • All participants must have access to a computer and be able to use the internet.
  • All participants must be English speaking.
  • All participants must agree to participate in the 15-month study, which includes completing questionnaires, brief "virtual" interactions with the study coordinator quarterly, and actively interacting with the website and potential matches.
  • All participants must agree to follow-up contact throughout the duration of the study, which is anticipated to last 3 years.

Exclusion criteria

  • Caregiver's loved one does not have a confirmed diagnosis of dementia.
  • Caregiver is unable to provide consent.
  • Caregiver was or has been in that role for less than 3 months.

Treatment and study plan

Algorithm

Behavioral

For purpose of finding peer-to-peer support, current and/or former caregivers of persons with dementia will be matched using an algorithm. They can then choose make a connection and maintain a connection for the duration of the study.

Random Match

Behavioral

For purpose of finding peer-to-peer support, current and/or former caregivers of persons with dementia will be randomly matched. They can then choose make a connection and maintain a connection for the duration of the study.

Primary outcomes

  1. Match Satisfaction Questionnaire

    Time frame: 12 months

    All participants will complete a match satisfaction questionnaire to assess whether being matched to a supportive caregiver via an algorithm based on personal preferences results in greater match satisfaction than being matched at random. Questions are scored from 0 to 4 with a possible total of 28.

    Scores are interpreted such that an overall total of: 0 - 7 = low satisfaction; 8-14 = medium/average satisfaction; 15-28 = high satisfaction

  2. Change over time from Baseline Resilience to 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 months

    All participants will complete questions surveying resilience to determine whether caregivers randomized to algorithmic matching based on personal preferences will report a greater sense of resiliency after being matched than caregivers who are randomly matched.

  3. Change over time from Baseline Quality of Life to 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 months

    All participants will complete questions surveying quality of life to determine whether caregivers randomized to algorithmic matching based on personal preferences will report improved quality of life after being matched than caregivers who are randomly matched.

  4. Scale of Perceived Social Support

    Time frame: 12 months

    All participants will complete survey questions regarding perceived level of social support to assess impact on match satisfaction.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Survey of Executive Skills

    Time frame: 12 months

    All participants will complete questions regarding executive functioning (e.g., flexibility, problem-solving) to determine whether the level of these skills relates to ease or difficulty in finding a satisfactory supportive caregiver match.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Collaborators

  • Minnesota HealthSolutions
  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

Fostering Caregiver Connections Via Intentional Technology Pairing for Caregivers of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Other Types of Dementia-Phase 2

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 22, 2023
Registry last updated
May 28, 2026

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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