The BRAIN App: Building Relationships Using Artificial Intelligence and Nostalgia
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study will involve testing of an Alpha version of an app called "Building Relationships using Artificial Intelligence and Nostalgia" or BRAIN. The BRAIN App will be the first -ever artificial intelligence infused CST app for PWD. The app has two main goals: (1) to foster positive relationships between the care triad, and (2) to promote QoL while reducing responsive behaviors in PWD. Testing will examine the app's impact on engagement/affect for both PWD and professional Care Partners.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
A quasi-experimental pretest / posttest design will be used. During a four-week baseline period, researchers will collect data on engagement, quality of life, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of the care-patient relationship. Participants will then use the BRAIN app for four weeks, during which engagement data will be collect. After the intervention period, researchers will collect data again on quality of life, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of the carer-patient relationship.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Treatment BRAIN Intervention |
Behavioral: The BRAIN App
The BRAIN App will be the first-ever artificial intelligence enabled cognitive stimulation therapy app, specifically designed for PWD. The goal of the app is to foster positive relationships between the care triad.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES) [Baseline--that is, week 1 thru week 4]
The MPES is an observational scale that measures four types of engagement: Constructive Engagement, Passive Engagement, Distracted Engagement, and Non-Engagement / Apathy The MPES also measures Pleasure, defined as clearly observable smiling or laughing.
- Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES) [Treatment--that is, week 5 thru week 8]
The MPES is an observational scale that measures four types of engagement: Constructive Engagement, Passive Engagement, Distracted Engagement, and Non-Engagement / Apathy The MPES also measures Pleasure, defined as clearly observable smiling or laughing.
- Engagement for Persons with Dementia Scale (EPWDS) [Baseline--that is, week 1 thru week 4]
This scale measures the engagement in 5 domains: affective, visual, verbal, behavioral and social.
- Engagement for Persons with Dementia Scale (EPWDS) [Treatment--that is, week 5 thru week 8]
This scale measures the engagement in 5 domains: affective, visual, verbal, behavioral and social.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Dementia Related Quality of Life (DEMQOL) [Baseline--that is, week 1 thru week 4]
The DEMQOL measures quality of life, composed of 28 items. It also has a proxy version
- Dementia Related Quality of Life (DEMQOL) [Post-Treatment--that is week 5 thru 6]
The DEMQOL measures quality of life, composed of 28 items. It also has a proxy version
- Neuropsychiatric Inventory--Nursing Home (NPI-NH) [Baseline--that is, week 1 thru week 4]
The NPI-NH measures 12 types of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including their severity and frequency.
- Neuropsychiatric Inventory--Nursing Home (NPI-NH) [Post-Treatment--that is week 5 thru 6]
The NPI-NH measures 12 types of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including their severity and frequency.
- Quality of Carer-Patient Relationship (QCPR) [Baseline--that is, week 1 thru week 4]
This 14-item scale measures warmth and/or absence of conflict or critique on a 5-point scale
- Quality of Carer-Patient Relationship (QCPR) [Post-Treatment--that is week 5 thru 6]
This 14-item scale measures warmth and/or absence of conflict or critique on a 5-point scale
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
PWD Inclusion Criteria:
-
diagnosed with dementia (any type)
-
resident in ALF or NH
-
65+ years old
-
read and speak English
-
exhibit at least one responsive behavior on the NPI-NH or score below maximum score on the DEMQOL
PWD Exclusion Criteria:
-
bed-confined
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completely unable to communicate verbally
-
have serious visual or hearing impairments
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show signs of rapid decline or over the last six months
Staff and Family Member Inclusion Criteria
-
18+ years old
-
speak and read English
Staff and Family Member Exclusion Criteria
-n/a
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hearthstone Institute | Winchester | Massachusetts | United States | 01890 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- The Hearthstone Institute, LLC
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Michael Skrajner, MA, The Hearthstone Institute
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 1R43AG071105-01A1