This study aims to develop an automated instant message-delivered intervention (i.e., EMI) for people with mild cognitive impairment to reduce their NPS, and to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention.
1. Message contents: The message content library will consist of four parts: 1.orientation, 2. brief mild cognitive impairment education messages, 3. acceptance and commitment therapy messages, 4.booster message. 2. Message delivery * Regular messages: The messages in the four parts will be sent regularly to each participant. As personalisation is a core process subject to behavioural changes, the timing of the messages will be determined based on participants' preferences. To save labour and increase efficiency, the investigators will develop a message 'scheduler' program. The investigators will pre-set the message scheduler, which will then automatically send out content to the participants according to their preferences. The development of the program is highly useful particularly in cases which participants prefer to receive messages during non-office hours. * Real-time support messages (chat-type): Chat-based support will be given to the participants as an extension of the regular messages. However, the participants will be informed beforehand that the RA will only play a supportive role and will not provide formal care. The number of the chat messages will not be limited, but the real-time support messages will only be provided during working hours on weekdays to limit the RA's workload. Control Group: The control group will receive instant messages about mental health management from GovHK website (https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/mental/), which is open to the public.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
160
Participants in intervention group will receive the EMI for 9 weeks. Based on the steps of mobile message development recommended by Abroms, et al., we will develop a message content library and protocol for EMI delivery.
Participants in control group will receive the messages for 9 weeks. The control group will receive instant messages about general mental health management from the HKSAR Government website, which is open to the public (https://www.shallwetalk.hk/en/mental-well-being/mental-well-being-is-related-to-you/), with reminder text messages of follow-up surveys.
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
RECRUITINGMBI-C scores
The primary outcome will be MBI-C scores to assess NPSs. A higher MBI-C scores will indicate a higher level of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week
Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9)
Each item was scored on a 4-point scale (0 "not at all" to 3 "nearly every day"). The total score is calculated by summing up the score of all items (range 0-27). High scores indicate worse depressive symptoms.
Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week
Anxiety symptoms (GAD-7)
A 7-item scale with score ranging from 0 to 21, higher scores indicate higher severity of anxiety symptom
Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week
Quality of life (EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level questionnaire [EQ-5D-5L])
The EQ-5D-5L assesses five health dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each rated on five levels of severity, with scores ranging from -0.864 to 1, where higher scores indicate better quality of life. Additionally, it includes a visual analogue scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (the worst health imaginable) to 100 (the best health imaginable).
Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week
Cognitive functions (HK-MoCA)
The total score is calculated by summing up the score of all items. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function.
Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week
Acceptance of negative emotions and valued-based actions (AAQ-II)
AAQ-II is a measure of psychological flexibility. Each item is rated on a 7-point scale from 1 = never true to 7 = always true. Scores range from 1-49. A lower score indicates a lower level of psychological flexibility.
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Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week
Subjective Cognitive Decline scale (SCD-9)
SCD-9 is a scale detecting subjective cognitive function. Higher socre indicate worse subjective cognitive function.
Time frame: at baseline, 10th week and 24th week