The goal of this mixed method study is to evaluate whether the volunteer-led Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) under the BrainLive Connect programme is effective for improving cognitive function and quality of life of people living with dementia (PLwD). The main question it aims to answer are: • Do PLwD receiving the BrainLive Connect service show better cognitive function and quality of life than those receiving usual care? Researchers will compare BrainLive Connect service to usual care to see whether the intervention leads to better outcomes. Participants will: * Receive either 7 weeks of BrainLive Connect sessions delivered by trained volunteers or continue receiving usual care. * Be assessed at baseline (T0), post-intervention (7 weeks; T1), and 1 month follow up (11 weeks; T2). * Take part in semi-strucutred interviews post-intervention to provide feedback on implementation and areas for improvement.
The research design is a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), involving 260 PLwD in the experimental group (BrainLive group) who will receive 7 weeks of BrainLive Connect service, and another 260 PLwD in the control group (Care-as-usual group) who will receive usual care for comparison. Participants of the experimental group will be recruited by our partnering NGOs, and those of the control group will be from both the partnering NGOs and network of HKU. Outcomes of PLwD and their carers will be measured at three time points: intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2), to assess the lasting effects of the volunteer-led CST. During the evaluation period, participants in the control group will receive standard care and support. The BrainLive Connect service aimed at maintaining cognitive functions, and improving quality of life (Primary outcomes); and reducing distressed behaviour, improving social functioning, reduced carer burden, improving daily functioning, and preference for ageing-in-place (Secondary outcomes).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
520
CST has been recognized as an effective and cost-effective intervention for individuals with mild to moderate dementia, leading to improvements in cognition and quality of life. CST is one of the few non-pharmacological interventions recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in their clinical guideline on dementia, as it has comparable efficacy to anti-dementia drugs. Exercise-enhanced CST is characterised by adding physical exercise into the original group CST protocol. Home2Community CST is characterized by a gradual shift of its intervention site from the participant's home to public space in their neighbourhood and then further to centre-based settings. Living CST is characterised by transferring CST into real life settings to maximise its benefits in daily functioning for independent living.
Usual care and support service for people living with dementia in community, including but not limited to, care service, psychosocial intervention (but not CST), and social activities.
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
RECRUITINGThe Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog)
Possible range: 0 -70, with higher scores indicate more impairment
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD)
Possible range: 13 - 52, with higher scores indicate better quality of life
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPIQ)
Possible range: 0 - 60, with higher scores indicate higher carer distress and severity
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
Social functioning in Dementia Scale (HKSF-DEM: carer rating)
Possible range: 0 - 51, with higher scores indicate better social functioning
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
Care burden (Zarit Burden Interview short version, 12-item)
Possible range: 0 - 48, with higher scores indicate greater burden
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)
Possible range: 0 - 27, with higher scores indicate higher functional independence
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
Preference for ageing-in place (self-developed scale)
Possible range: 1 - 5, with higher scores indicate lower preference for ageing-in place
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
Preparation of ageing in-place (self-developed scale)
Possible range: 5 - 25, with higher scores indicate better preparation of ageing in place
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment subscale (MoCA subscale)
Possible range: 0 - 3, with higher scores indicate better language ability
Time frame: Intake (T0), a 7-week follow-up (T1), and a one-month follow-up (T2)
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