Cereset Research Exploratory Study for Dementia Caregivers

Sponsor

Wake Forest University Health Sciences (Other)

Overall Status

Recruiting

CT.gov ID

NCT05209438

Collaborator

Memory Counseling Program general fund (Other), Heidi Munger-Clary, MD (Other), Hossam Shaltout, PhD (Other), Sean Simpson, PhD (Other), Christina Hugenschmidt, PhD (Other), Mia Yang, MD (Other)

Enrollment

Location

Arms

23.5

Anticipated Duration (Months)

0.9

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Caregivers of a person living with dementia (PLWD) experience high levels of prolonged stress that can lead to chronic problems with health, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease that is linked to autonomic dysregulation. Heart rate variability (HRV), measures of autonomic cardiovascular regulation, is decreased (worse) in caregivers of a person living with dementia. Autonomic function is linked to lateralization in the brain, and emerging neuromodulation methods that target lateralized signals in the brain, like Cereset (CR), may be able to improve heart rate variability. Therefore, this pilot study aims to test whether CR can improve HRV in caregivers of a person living with dementia experiencing stress, anxiety, or insomnia, as well as improve self-report measures of stress, sleep and caregiver burden.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Dementia Caregivers	Device: Cereset Research	N/A

Detailed Description

The primary aims of this pilot study of 20 dementia caregivers experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety or insomnia is to:

Evaluate the effect of Cereset (CR) to improve autonomic cardiovascular regulation measured as heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Impact will be assessed based on changes in standard measures of HRV and BRS such as standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), HF Alpha, and Sequence ALL. This will also provide blood pressure values evaluated by an automated oscillometric blood pressure device
Assess the effect of Cereset (CR) on self-reported symptom inventories of stress, anxiety, insomnia, and caregiver burden and distress

Insomnia as assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)
Behavioral outcomes such as depression (as assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, (CES-D), anxiety (as evaluated by the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), traumatic stress (as assessed by the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Civilians (PCL-C), and stress (as assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale, (PSS)
Overall quality of life as evaluated using the measuring quality of life (QOLS) measure
Caregiver burden and distress measured with the Zarit Caregiver Burden scale and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q)
Brief (4-item) caregiver self-efficacy scale

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Anticipated Enrollment :

20 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Single Group Assignment

Intervention Model Description:

This will be a single-blind, randomized, pilot clinical trial. The study aims to enroll 20 partcipants who will be randomized to receive 6 sessions of CR intervention linked to brainwaves (INT)(n=10) or 6 sessions of sham control tones not linked to brainwaves (CON)(NB) (n=10).This will be a single-blind, randomized, pilot clinical trial. The study aims to enroll 20 partcipants who will be randomized to receive 6 sessions of CR intervention linked to brainwaves (INT)(n=10) or 6 sessions of sham control tones not linked to brainwaves (CON)(NB) (n=10).

Masking:

Single (Participant)

Masking Description:

Participants will not be told which group they are assigned to until the end of the study.

Primary Purpose:

Supportive Care

Official Title:

Cereset Research for Dementia Caregivers: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Actual Study Start Date :

Jun 16, 2022

Anticipated Primary Completion Date :

Jun 1, 2023

Anticipated Study Completion Date :

Jun 1, 2024

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Active Comparator: Cereset Research This will be the active intervention arm using 6 Cereset (CR) sessions and participants will continue current care.	Device: Cereset Research Cereset Research The upgraded platform for medical research using the HIRREM technology has been rebranded as Cereset Research® (CR). This system uses the same core technology and algorithms to echo brainwaves in real-time using audible tones, as with HIRREM. The CR system also includes 64-bit processing architecture for faster feedback, the use of 4 sensors, and the use of standard protocols (with flexibility regarding the length and sequencing of the standard protocols), all done with eyes closed. Four sensors are applied to the scalp at a time. However, only two sensors are actively echoing feedback. The software automatically switches from one sensor pair to the other when needed. This reduces the number of sensor placement changes needed, resulting in shorter session time and fewer interruptions.
Sham Comparator: Control Participants will have 6 CR sessions of sham control tones and also continue their current care.	Device: Cereset Research Cereset Research The upgraded platform for medical research using the HIRREM technology has been rebranded as Cereset Research® (CR). This system uses the same core technology and algorithms to echo brainwaves in real-time using audible tones, as with HIRREM. The CR system also includes 64-bit processing architecture for faster feedback, the use of 4 sensors, and the use of standard protocols (with flexibility regarding the length and sequencing of the standard protocols), all done with eyes closed. Four sensors are applied to the scalp at a time. However, only two sensors are actively echoing feedback. The software automatically switches from one sensor pair to the other when needed. This reduces the number of sensor placement changes needed, resulting in shorter session time and fewer interruptions.

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Active Comparator: Cereset Research

This will be the active intervention arm using 6 Cereset (CR) sessions and participants will continue current care.

Device: Cereset Research

Cereset Research The upgraded platform for medical research using the HIRREM technology has been rebranded as Cereset Research® (CR). This system uses the same core technology and algorithms to echo brainwaves in real-time using audible tones, as with HIRREM. The CR system also includes 64-bit processing architecture for faster feedback, the use of 4 sensors, and the use of standard protocols (with flexibility regarding the length and sequencing of the standard protocols), all done with eyes closed. Four sensors are applied to the scalp at a time. However, only two sensors are actively echoing feedback. The software automatically switches from one sensor pair to the other when needed. This reduces the number of sensor placement changes needed, resulting in shorter session time and fewer interruptions.

Sham Comparator: Control

Participants will have 6 CR sessions of sham control tones and also continue their current care.

Device: Cereset Research

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Change in Blood Pressure Measurements [Baseline; V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion; V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
BP measurements will be obtained using an automate oscillometric blood pressure device. Three samples will be obtained and the last two averaged to get the value that will be used as the reading for that visit.
Change in Heart Rate (HR) [Baseline; V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion; V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
Continuous heart rate will be recorded while participant is breathing normally in seated position for 10 minutes using Faros 180 heart rate monitor (Bittium Corporation, Oulu, Finland). Beat to beat intervals (RRI) files will be generated at 1000 Hz via the data acquisition software. Files will be analyzed with Nevrokard HRV software (by Nevrokard Kiauta, d.o.o., Izola, Slovenia). Recordings will be visually inspected to ensure data quality (dropped beats or gross motion artifacts are excluded) and first 5 minutes of usable tracings will be analyzed.
Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) [Baseline; V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion; V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
Measures of heart rate variability in frequency domain will be derived and measures integrated over specified frequency ranges (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz; HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz). Power of RRI spectra in LF, HF range (LFRRI and HFRRI) and total power (TP) will be calculated in normalized units and ratio of LF/HF used as a measure of sympatho-vagal balance.
Change in Baroreflex Sensitivity [Baseline; V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion; V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
BRS calculated by this method is based on quantification of sequences of at least three beats (n) in which Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) consecutively increases (UP sequence) or decreases (DOWN sequence), which are accompanied by changes in the same direction of the beat-to-beat intervals (RRI) of subsequent beats (n+1). The software scans the RRI and SBP records, identifies sequences, and calculates linear correlation between RRI and SBP for each sequence. The mean of all individual regression coefficients (slopes), a measure of sequence BRS, is calculated for Sequence UP, DOWN and ALL (ms/mmHg).
Blood Pressure Variability [V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
Systolic BP and beat to beat, RR intervals (RRI) files generated via the data acquisition system (BIOPAC acquisition system and software, Santa Barbara, CA) at 1000 Hz are analyzed using Nevrokard SA-BRS software (by Nevrokard Kiauta, d.o.o., Izola, Slovenia) for measures BPV.Frequency Method. Power spectral densities of SBP and RRI oscillations are computed by 512 points Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and integrated over specified frequency ranges (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz; HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Severity of Insomnia (ISI) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The ISI is a 7 question, self-reported measure to evaluate symptoms of insomnia, with responses from 0-4 for each question, yielding scores ranging from 0-28. Lower scores represent better outcomes.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is a depression scale, which will help to assess this co-morbidity. CES-D is a 20-item survey assessing affective depressive symptomatology to screen for risk of depression. Scores range from 0-60, with a score of 16 commonly used as a clinically relevant cut-off. The higher the score, the more suggestive of depressive symptoms.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is a seven-item screening tool for anxiety that is widely used in primary care. GAD-7 is a brief, reliable and valid measure of assessing generalized anxiety disorder. A score of 10 or greater on the GAD-7 represents a reasonable cut point for identifying cases. Cut points of 5, 10, and 15 might be interpreted as representing mild, moderate, and severe levels of anxiety.
PTSD Checklist for civilians (PCL-C) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The PTSD Checklist for civilians (PCL-C), measures the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) Criteria B, C, & D of PTSD symptoms based on traumatic life experience either in civilian life. Seventeen items are rated on a Likert scale with a composite score range of 17 to 85. A score of 44 or higher correlates with probability of civilian-related PTSD. Higher scores suggest more traumatic stress.
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a ten-item psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. It is a measure of the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. Items were designed to tap how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents find their lives. The scale, with answers rated from 0-4, also includes a number of direct queries about current levels of experienced stress. Total scores range from 0-40. A lower score denotes a lower level of perceived stress.
Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The QOLS is a 16-item scale that was modified from a 15-item scale used in chronic disease patients. Topics include different components of daily life such as relationships, community engagement, personal fulfillment, and recreation. Each item is scaled from 1 to 7 and a sum score is calculated to represent higher levels of satisfaction in life (range is 16-112).
Caregiver Burden (Zarit) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
The Zarit caregiver burden scale scoring system uses a five point scale. Responses can range from zero (which means never) to four (which means nearly always). A screening tool of this type can help identify challenges in a way that is less personal and threatening to the caregiver and the care recipient.
Caregiver Distress (NPI-Q) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
Caregiver distress will be assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and an adaptation of the 22-item Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) for caregiving. Higher total scores (each question being 0-4 points) equal higher amounts of distress. The rationale for assessing only symptom severity on the NPI-Q is the finding that symptom severity is more strongly correlated with caregiver distress (i.e., more clinically significant) than how often the symptom occurs. The total NPI-Q severity score represents the sum of individual symptom scores and ranges from 0 to 36.

Other Outcome Measures

Changes in Chronic Pain (MPQ) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
For participants reporting chronic pain, the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) questionnaire will be given. The maximum score an individual can reach on the MPQ is 78. According to the questionnaire, a person with a score of 0 effectively does not experience pain. A person with a high score, nearer to the highest score of 78, more than likely deals with chronic pain daily.
Changes in Chronic Pain (PROMIS) [Baseline, V2 (0-14 days after intervention completion, and V3 (4-7 weeks following completion of the intervention)]
For participants reporting chronic pain, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Short Form Pain Interference questionnaire will be given. scales focus on how frequently patients engage in each pain behavior using a 6-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (had no pain) to 6 (always), with responses reflecting the 7-day recall period.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and Older

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

participants must provide at least 10 hours of care a week to a person with a diagnosis of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease (early onset or late onset), frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinsonian dementia, and mixed dementias)
participants must be willing to provide informed consent
participants have no planned travel during the study period
participants must be able to comply with basic instructions
participants must be able to sit comfortably for up to 90 minutes, and attend up to three 60-minute intervention sessions each week during the 4-week intervention period
participants must self report experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, or insomnia and meet threshold scores on one or more self-report inventories of these symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index (ISI, ≥ 8), the Perceived Stress Index (PSS, ≥ 14), or the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7, ≥ 5) scale)

Exclusion criteria:

participants providing less than 10 hours a week of care to a person with dementia
participants who are unable or unwilling to attend intervention sessions during the planned study period
participants who are unable or unwilling to provide consent
participants who are unable to sit comfortably for up to 75 minutes
participants who are not exhibiting symptoms of stress, anxiety or insomnia
participants with hearing impairment severe enough that they cannot perceive tones through ear buds
participants anticipating ongoing use of alcohol or recreational drugs
participants with known seizure disorder, or suicidal thoughts within the last 3 months
participants who respond positively to a question about risk for suicide within the last 3 months will be excluded and receive a behavioral health resource list
participants weighing more than 400 pounds (the weight limit of the chair used during intervention)
participants currently enrolled in another intervention study
prior use of neuromodulation, neurostimulation, deep brain stimulation, neurofeedback, biofeedback, alpha stim, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),or electroconvulsive therapy within the last month
participants taking Medications that may affect the assessment of heart rate variability (beta blockers. Ongoing need for treatment with opiate, benzodiazepine, or anti-psychotic medications, anti-depressant medications (SSRI, or SNRI's), sleep medications such as zolpidem or eszopiclone, stimulants such as Adderall, Provigil, or Ritalin, or thyroid hormone)