A mixed-method study exploring the use of assistive technology to support daily time management in older adults with dementia

Completed

Conditions: occupational therapists, older adults, caregivers of dementia patients
Alzheimers disease with early onset, (2) ICD-10 Condition: G301||Alzheimers disease with late onset, (3) ICD-10 Condition: G308||Other Alzheimers disease, (4) ICD-10 Condition: G309||Alzheimers disease, unspecified,

Registration Number: CTRI/2017/06/008916

Lead Sponsor: ICMR

Brief Summary: India is witnessing a burgeoning ageing population due to which the needs of the elderly have been prioritized in the Indian National Health Programmes. Due to the changing family structure and dramatic socio-economic changes, family members are having difficulty in looking after their elderly suffering from any chronic illness like dementia. Ability to manage and use time influences participation and well-being. Research on Assistive Technology (AT) in developed countries suggests that it improves well-being and participation in older adults with cognitive deficits and reduces caregiver burden. There is limited evidence in India on the use of AT for time management in elderly with cognitive deficits. Also these devices are not yet available in the Indian market. Considering the experience of the Swedish collaborators in clinical use and research in using AT, this project will help explore the feasibility and acceptance of AT in a contextually different culture like India. Through collaboration with the Swedish research team, the competencies of occupational therapists in India could be enhanced in prescribing and using assistive technology. This project could aid in increasing the accessibility of these products for potential users in India. The objectives of the study are

1. To understand the perspectives of healthy Indian older adults, Indian older adults with dementia, their informal caregivers and occupational therapists on daily time management and the use of time assistive products.

2. To investigate the use of time assistive products currently used in Sweden, among Indian older adults with dementia and its impact on their daily time management and well-being

3.To explore the feasibility of time assistive products in Indian context and if needed, identify strategies to enhance the contextual relevance and acceptability of these products for Indian older adults with dementia and their informal caregivers

The present study findings will help:

1. Understand the scope of using AT in India elderly for cognitive deficits like dementia

2. Understand the effect of AT on improving well-being and participation in older adults with dementia and reducing caregiver burden

3. Facilitate development of indigenous, feasible and contextually relevant AT to support daily time management and develop valid assessment instruments for Indian elderly

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Completed

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 224

Inclusion Criteria

Older adults aged 65 years and above, diagnosed with mild dementia with self-rated difficulties in daily time management and willing to try the assistive product.

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals with mental health problems or psychiatric disorders not connected to dementia, high levels of physical frailty and unable to communicate verbally.

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Time-S and Katid for older adult with dementia and Time Proxy for caregiver	Baseline, 3 months and 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
COPM and QUEST for older adults with dementia, COPE Index for caregiver, WHO-5 for both	Baseline, 3 months and 6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1): Kasturba Hospital
🇮🇳
Udupi, KARNATAKA, India
Kasturba Hospital
🇮🇳Udupi, KARNATAKA, India
Sebestina Anita Dsouza
Principal investigator
sebestina.dsouza@manipal.edu