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NCT Number: NCT07037550

Effectiveness of Strength-based Intervention for Elderly With Dementia Living in the Community

In the realm of dementia care, the imperative to intervene at the earliest stages of cognitive decline is paramount. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the development of innovative and effective interventions becomes imperative in delaying dementia progression.

Rooted in the Roy Adaptation Model and Zimmer's Theory of Psychological Empowerment, the investigator team has developed the empowerment-based dyadic strength-based intervention, which integrates strength-based and empowerment methodologies. Emphasizing a shift from deficits to capabilities, the strength-based approach fosters awareness of collective strengths within care dyads, facilitating coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of cognitive afflictions.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Dementia Alzheimer Disease Brain Diseases Caregiver Central Nervous System Diseases Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Dementia Alzheimer Type Mental Disorders Mild Cognitive Impairment Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Tauopathies

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, 0000

About this study

In the realm of dementia care, the imperative to intervene at the earliest stages of cognitive decline is paramount. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the development of innovative and effective interventions becomes imperative in delaying dementia progression.

Rooted in the Roy Adaptation Model and Zimmer's Theory of Psychological Empowerment, the investigator team has developed the empowerment-based dyadic strength-based intervention, which integrates strength-based and empowerment methodologies. Emphasizing a shift from deficits to capabilities, the strength-based approach fosters awareness of collective strengths within care dyads, facilitating coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of cognitive afflictions.

The objective of this study is:

  • To study the effectiveness of ambassador-led strength-based intervention for patient-participants with dementia living in the community and residential units to enhance their quality of life;
  • To compare how the involvement of young-old volunteers in the strength-based intervention enhance service effectiveness

After obtained the consent baseline data collection will be done. The participants will be randomized to receive either the ambassador-led strength-based intervention of usual care group. The post-test data collection will take place upon the completion of the program (9th week) and at 3-month thereafter.

The Strength-based intervention incorporates 8-week Ambassador-led strength-based intervention including:

  • a strength-based assessment to the patient-participant and caregiver done by the Social Worker,
  • Ambassador-assisted preparation of the strength-based biography,
  • four Ambassador-led workshops, the workshop will be delivered in group of 6-8 participants by at least 2 Ambassadors, and
  • one Social Worker-led zoom video conference delivered to the caregivers.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age over 18
  • a confirmed diagnosis of mild dementia as indicated by the cut-off score of Montreal Cognitive Assessment-5-min at 13-18 for dementia and >18-21 for mild cognitive impairment
  • self-reported cognitive complaints
  • have the ability to engage in the communication with the research assistant
  • able to identify a family caregiver
  • consent to participate

Exclusion criteria

  • person who has communication problems with the research team

Treatment and study plan

Strength-based intervention

Behavioral

The Strength-based intervention incorporates 8-week Ambassador-led strength-based intervention including:

  • a strength-based assessment to the patient-participant and caregiver done by the Social Worker,
  • Ambassador-assisted preparation of the strength-based biography,
  • four Ambassador-led workshops, the workshop will be delivered in group of 6-8 participants by at least 2 Ambassadors, and
  • one Social Worker-led zoom video conference delivered to the caregivers.

Primary outcomes

  1. A battery of cognitive assessments (CAB)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the global cognition sore by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale -Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), the digit span-forward and backward test for attention and working memory, the list learning delayed recall test for episodic memory, 5-min Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Trail-Making Test for complex attention, executive function and task switching. The higher score indicates poor cognitive function

  2. The Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (RSCSE)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the perceived self-efficacy in caregiving, to measure the caregivers' perceived self-efficacy in handling the symptoms of the persons with mild cognitive impairment and to control their own emotions. It scale from 0-100 with a higher score indicating a higher caregiving self-efficacy.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) covering physical, functional, psychosocial, interpersonal, and environmental status of the patient with dementia, scales 13 to 52, with higher score indicating better HRQL

  2. the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the changes in participant's mood status. The response set is a 4-point Likert scale, scale from 0-30, with a higher score indicating a higher level of depression.

  3. Dyadic Relationship Scale - Patient version (DRS-patient)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the quality of interpersonal relationships in the caregiving dyad, in the care recipient perspective. It measures aspects such as communication, support, and satisfaction within the dyad, providing insight into the dynamics of caregiving relationships in dementia care settings. It scale from 0-30 with a higher score indicating a better dyadic relationship.

  4. Dyadic Relationship Scale - Caregiver version (DRS-caregiver)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the quality of interpersonal relationships in the caregiving dyad, in the caregiver perspective. It measures aspects such as communication, support, and satisfaction within the dyad, providing insight into the dynamics of caregiving relationships in dementia care settings. It scale from 0-33 with a higher score indicating a better dyadic relationship.

  5. The Neuro-psychiatric Inventory (NPI)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the neuro-psychiatric symptoms of the patient with dementia reported by the caregiver, scales from 12 to 96 with higher scores indicating higher severity

  6. the Patient-Reported Mild Behavioral Impairment Scale (pMBI)

    Time frame: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)

    evaluate the behavioral changes associated with cognitive decline for those with mild cognitive impairment, which enables patients to self-report symptoms, aiding in early detection and intervention for mild behavioral impairment, a potential precursor to dementia. It scale from 0-102 with a higher score indicating a higher risk of behavioral changes associated with cognitive decline.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Strength-based Intervention for Elders With Dementia Living in the Community and Residential Units: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: STRENGTH-B

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 25, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 6, 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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