The purpose of this study is to evaluate an online platform -- the Living Memory Home for Dementia Care Pairs (LMH-4-DCP) for persons with dementia and their family caregivers to engage in reminiscence activities together and record meaningful memories. The main aims of this study are: * To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the LMH-4-DCP platform. * To explore the potential for LMH-4-DCP to reduce feelings of pre-loss grief and enhancing relationship quality in dementia family caregivers and their care-recipients ('Care-Pairs') Care pair participants will be asked to log-in to LMH-4-DCP and complete study activities three times per week for two weeks. Researchers will compare the intervention group to an attention control condition to see if LMH-4-DCP's use is associated with reduced feelings of caregiver pre-loss grief and improved care pair relationship quality at follow-up.
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the Living Memory Home for Dementia Care Pairs (LMH-4-DCP) web application, a dyadic online psychosocial reminiscence platform, to reduce feelings of pre-loss grief and improve relationship quality in individuals with dementia and their family caregivers ('Care Pairs'). The main aims of this study are: * To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the LMH-4-DCP platform. * To explore the influence of the LMH-4-DCP intervention on reducing feelings of pre-loss grief and enhancing relationship quality in the care pair Caregiver participants randomized to the intervention condition will be asked to log-in to LMH-4-DCP and complete reminiscence activities three times per week for two weeks. Researchers will compare the intervention group to an attention control condition, which includes LMH-4-DCP use without reminiscence-specific features, to see if LMH-4-DCP's use is associated with reduced feelings of caregiver pre-loss grief and improved care pair relationship quality at follow-up.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
70
Reminiscence-based intervention for family caregiver-Persons with Dementia (PwD) dyads to record and reflect on meaningful memories to address family caregivers' pre-loss grief and enhance relationship quality.
Participants in the attention control condition will have access to a version of LMH-4-DCP excluding reminiscence-specific activities.
Weill Cornell Medicine
New York, New York, United States
RECRUITINGThe Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP application as measured by the number of website logins per participant out of total required (minimum= 6).
The feasibility of the application will be measured by the number of times the participant logs in to the LMH-4-DCP web application. The minimum number of logins recommended to the participants is 6.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study as measured by participant retention, as indicated by the number of participants lost to follow-up.
Participant retention, as an aspect of feasibility, will be measured by the recorded number of participants number lost to follow-up. A number of the enrolled participants who the study team contacted three times, but did not answer or continue participation, will be recorded.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study as measured by participant retention, as indicated by the number of recorded dropouts.
Participant retention, as an aspect of feasibility, will be measured by the recorded number of dropouts. A number of the participants who asked to withdraw/drop-out from the study after being enrolled will be recorded.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP application as measured by the time spent in each activity within the web application.
The feasibility of the application will be measured by the time spent in each activity. The time will be measured in minutes and seconds. For example, 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study as measured by the proportion of family caregivers who (1) consent to participate.
The feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study will be measured by the proportion of family caregivers who consent to participate among those who were invited and screened into the study.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study as measured by recruitment rates and the proportion of family caregivers (2) decline participation.
The feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study will be measured by the proportion of family caregivers who decline to participate among those who were invited and screened into the study.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study as measured by recruitment rates and the proportion of (3) are deemed ineligible based on screening criteria.
The feasibility of the LMH-4-DCP study will be measured by the proportion of family caregivers who are deemed ineligible based on screening criteria among those who were invited to participate in the study.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Usability of the LMH-4-DCP application as measured by the System Usability Scale (SUS).
The usability of the web application will be measured by the SUS. This scale is a 10-item assessment of the usability of a system, helping identify areas for improvement. Response options range from 1=Strongly Disagree to 5-Strongly Agree. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicative of greater usability.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Acceptability of the LMH-4-DCP application as measured by a survey that measures the participants satisfaction and acceptability of the application.
The acceptability of the web application will be measured by the use of surveys assessing usability, engagement, acceptability, suggestions for improvement. Participants will be asked to rate their agreement with statements including "I enjoyed my experience using the LMH-4-DCP application". Response options are rated on a five-point scale from 1-Strongly Disagree to 5-Strongly Agree. Because the surveys differ slightly by group, the intervention groups scores range from 8-40 and the control groups' scores range from 7-35, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction and acceptability.
Time frame: 2 Weeks
The Acceptability of the LMH-4-DCP application as measured by a qualitative survey that measures the participants satisfaction and acceptability of the application.
The acceptability of the web application will be measured by the use of open-ended items assessing usability, engagement, acceptability, suggestions for improvement. The intervention group participants will also be administered five open-ended qualitative items asking for feedback on LMH-4-DCP. Sample items include: "Which LMH-4-DCP features were most valuable and why?"
Time frame: 2 Weeks
Change in Grief Severity as measured by the Pre-Loss Grief-12 (PG-12)
Caregivers' pre-loss grief assessed using the validated 12-item PG-12-R instrument; Scores ranging from 12-60, with higher scores indicative of greater feelings of pre-loss grief.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 Weeks
Change in Relationship Quality as measured by the Relational Deprivation Scale.
The first measure of relationship quality will be the validated six-item Relational Deprivation Scale, which measures the perceived loss of relationship as a result of the care-recipient's illness. Response options range from 1=Not at all to 4=Completely. Scores range from 6 to 24, with higher scores indicative of poorer relational quality.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 Weeks
Change in Relationship Quality as measured by the Mutuality Scale.
The second measure of relationship quality will be the validated 15-item Mutuality Scale, which measures the extent of positive aspects of caregiving. Response options range from 0=Not at all to 4=A Great Deal. Scores range from 0-60, with higher scores reflecting greater levels of mutuality.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 Weeks
Change in Relationship Quality as measured by the Relationship Rewards Scale (RSS) Scale.
The third measure of relationship quality will be the eight-item validated RSS, where the caregiver reports experiences of relationship quality before and after the care-recipient's diagnosis. Responses range from 1=Never to 4=Always. Scores range from 8-32, with higher scores indicating greater relational quality.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 Weeks
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