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NCT Number: NCT07544875

BrainLive Connect: Volunteer Training Programme

The goal of this mixed method clinical trial is to evaluate whether BrainLive Coach training can enhance knowledge, skills, and wellbeing among young old volunteers.

The main question it aims to answer are:

• Do trained BrainLive Coaches demonstrate greater CST-related knowledge/skills, self-efficacy, and improved quality of life compared with volunteers receiving only educational materials?

Researchers will compare the BrainLive Coach training group vs. general service group (young old volunteers) to see whether the intervention leads to enhanced dementia knowledge, sense of competence in dementia care, and approaches to dementia.

Participants will be:

1. Adults aged 50 and over - volunteers (nRCT)

* Participate in either 80-90 hours of BrainLive Coach training followed by volunteering in BrainLive Connect or receive educational materials on dementia and cognitive health. * Complete assessments at baseline (T0) and post intervention (T1) on dementia knowledge, competence in dementia care, self-efficacy, attitudes to dementia, quality of life, and social capital. 2. Qualitative study participants • Take part in individual interviews or focus groups, including trained volunteers, and NGO staff, to explore perceived impacts, mechanisms, implementation facilitators/barriers, and areas for improvement.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Adults Aged 50 and Over Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Dementia Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

JACKY CP CHOY, Philosophy of Doctor

CONTACT

[email protected]

39170079

Shiyu LU, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

The research design is a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), involving 90 healthy adults aged 50 and over in the experimental group (Training group) who will receive 80-90 hours of BrainLive Coach Training, and another 90 young-old in the control group (Education group) who will receive educational workshops for comparison. Data will be collected at two time points: baseline (T0) and after the completion of BrainLive Connect volunteering (T1). Participants in the control group (N=90) will be recruited from the HKU network. During the evaluation period, control group participants will attend educational workshops focused on dementia and cognitive health.

The BrainLive Coach training aims to enhance the skills and knowledge for delivering evidence-based dementia intervention (Primary outcomes); and improve self-efficacy, quality of life, and social capital of the young-old individuals. The outcome measures include Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool, Sense of Competence in Dementia Care, Approaches to Dementia, General Self-efficacy scale, Quality of Life and social capital assessment tool.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Hong Kong residents
  • Aged 50 and over
  • Had education level of Form 3 or above
  • Fluent in Cantonese
  • Able to read and write Chinese

Exclusion criteria

Unable to communicate and participate in interviews/training/intervention due to hearing impairment, visual impairment, or other conditions.

Treatment and study plan

BrainLive Coach training

Behavioral

Volunteers will be trained, supervised and supported to deliver one of three modes of CST (Exercise-enhanced CST, Home2Community CST, Living CST). Basic level training covering topics fundamental to dementia education and common across different CST modes to all recruited volunteers; and then advanced level training covering knowledge and skills specific to each CST mode and service settings.

Other intervention

Other

Volunteers will receive dementia-related educational materials

Primary outcomes

  1. Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool (DKAT)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 0 - 21, with higher scores indicate better knowledge

  2. Sense of Competence in Dementia Care (SCIDC)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 17 - 68, with higher scores indicate better sense of competence in dementia care

  3. Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 19 - 95, with higher scores indicate more positive and person-centered attitude

Secondary outcomes

  1. The Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 0 - 30, with higher scores indicate greater social support and engagement. A total score of 12 or less is commonly used as a cut-off point to identify individuals at risk for social isolation

  2. QoL: 8-item WHO quality of life scale

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 8 - 40, with higher scores indicate better quality of life

  3. The General Self-Efficacy Scale

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 10 - 40, with higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy

  4. Bidirectional Social Support (2-Way SSS)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 0 - 60, with higher scores indicate more bidirectional social support

  5. Sense of belonging

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 16 - 80, with higher scores indicate better sense of belonging

  6. Meaning in life

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 10 - 70, with higher scores indicate better meaning in life

  7. Well-being

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 7 - 35, with higher scores indicate better well-being

  8. Caregiver burden

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and 3 months after start of CST training (T1)

    Possible range: 0 - 48, with higher scores indicate higher caregiver burden

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

JACKY CP CHOY, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

39170079

Shiyu LU, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

39172074

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Collaborators

  • Christian Family Service Centre
  • Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association
  • Simon K.Y.Lee Foundation
  • Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 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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