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Impact Evaluation of the Digital Connect Project for Homebound Older Adults

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Aging Well
Interventions
Behavioral: Digital intervention through Tablet
Registration Number
NCT06217601
Lead Sponsor
The University of Hong Kong
Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Digital Connect Project on increasing functional capacity defined by the WHO-ICOPE and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among homebound older adults.

Detailed Description

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is launching the Digital Connect project to increase the well-being and social connectedness of the homebound older adults. A total of 32 NGOs are applying for 7,500 tablets and data plan (in total) through this project. Different digital programs will be rolled out to enhance their well-being and social connectedness. This study aim is to capture the impact of this Digital Connect project on the health outcomes of the homebound older adults. The tablet intervention will be offered by the NGOs within a 2-year timeframe. Web-based multi-domain lifestyle training intervention will be conducted to promoted and focus three lifestyles: nutritional advice, exercise and cognitive training; chat communication with research team, and personalized agenda on daily activities and an information library.

The object of this study is to explore the dose-response relationship between online engagement in the different types of activity and the improvement in the corresponding health outcomes, including the five domains: (1) Physical function, (2) Cognitive function, (3) Psychological function, (4) Social function and (5) Health-related quality of life. One baseline assessment and four follow-ups will be arranged in every 3-month interval. To account for immortal time bias, each subject will be created with two clones at time zero and assigned each of the two clones to either treatment or control group, respectively.

The engagement experience will be explored by interviewing the participants and service stakeholders through the planning and delivery of the digital intervention for the homebound older adults.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1024
Inclusion Criteria
  • age > 65
  • consent to participate
  • able to participate in the impact assessment as evidence by a test score of > 6 on the Abbreviated Mental Test
  • has the functional ability to engage in the digital intervention
Exclusion Criteria

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
No-treatment statusDigital intervention through TabletTo account for immortal time bias, each subject will be created with two clones at time zero and assigned each of the two clones to either treatment or no-treatment status, respectively. The corresponding no-treatment status is defined as subjects who have not received the digital intervention for the corresponding length of time.
Treatment statusDigital intervention through TabletTo account for immortal time bias, each subject will be created with two clones at time zero and assigned each of the two clones to either treatment or no-treatment status, respectively. The treatment status in each evaluative endpoint (i.e., 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month) is defined as subjects who have received the digital intervention for the respective length of time since the time zero during which the intervention has just commenced.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cognitive function scoreChanges from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measured by 5-minute Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (range from 0 to 30), A score of 26 or over is considered to be normal.

Health-related quality of life (HRQL)Changes from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measure by EQ-5D-5L (range from -0.59 to 1.0), higher score indicates better quality of life

Physical functionChanges from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measured by Short Physical Performance Battery (range from 0 to 12), with higher score indicating better physical performance

Loneliness scoreChanges from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measured by 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (range 3-9), higher score indicates greater loneliness.

Depression scoreChanges from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measured by The 8-item Geriatric Depression Scale (range 0 to 8), with higher score indicating higher risk of depression

Social functionChanges from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measured by 8-item Social Connectedness Scale Revised (range 0 to 48), \<22 indicates lack of social connectedness

Subjective Memory ScoreChanges from baseline to 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month post-intervention.

Measured by 7-item Memory Complaint Scale (MCS) (range from 0 to 14), lower score indicates better memory performance. No MCs (0-2), Mild MCs (3-6), Moderate MCs (7-10), Severe MCs (11-14).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Hong Kong

🇭🇰

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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