A Multi-Site Trial of the Impact of Assistive Technology With Assistance Users and Their Caregivers
- Conditions
- Older AdultsMobility DisabilityCommunity Dwelling
- Interventions
- Device: Customary CareDevice: Assistive Technology Provision and Tune-Up Intervention
- Registration Number
- NCT01640470
- Lead Sponsor
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal
- Brief Summary
Many individuals with mobility limitations, especially those who are older and have more severe impairments, use a combination of assistive devices and personal assistance to meet their needs. Assistive technology (AT), which includes devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, bathroom grab bars, and dressing aids, helps facilitate day-to-day activities and social participation (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) among these individuals and may decrease their dependence on human assistance. Although some research has reported beneficial outcomes of AT use, few studies have used controlled experimental designs. Furthermore, the results are often difficult to interpret because the AT interventions are only vaguely described. Another concern is that many individuals receive help from others, but scant attention has been paid to the impact of AT on caregivers. This neglect produces an incomplete portrayal of the effect of AT interventions. The proposed study addresses these deficiencies by evaluating the effects of a formalized dyadic AT intervention on individuals with mobility limitations and on their caregivers. The Assistive Technology Provision, Updating and Training (ATPUT)intervention involves a detailed in-home assessment of participants' current AT; the negotiation and implementation of a personal AT plan with the participants and their caregivers; and the provision of AT devices, non-structural home modifications, and device training.
Objectives:
1. To determine the efficacy of the Assistive Technology Provision, Updating and Training intervention for assistance users and for their caregivers.
2. To explore how the intervention is experienced by these individuals and to help explain the study findings.
General Hypotheses:
The investigators anticipate this intervention will increase the daily activities and social participation of individuals with mobility limitations; decrease the psychological and physical demands on caregivers; and reduce the amount of caregiving required.
Methodologies:
This research will use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative portion will be an experimental, single-blinded study in which the investigators randomly assign participants to either the ATPUT or a customary care group.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 240
- daily activity and/or mobility disability
- referred to homecare
- have an unpaid informal caregiver who is above the age of consent and willing to participate in the study
- can communicate in English or French.
- cognitive impairments that are likely to prevent them from reliably completing the study questionnaires.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Customary care Customary Care Participants in this arm will receive customary care. Assistive technology Assistive Technology Provision and Tune-Up Intervention The home based AT Provision, Updating and Tune-Up (ATPUT) Intervention will include recommendations for assistive technology, possibly entailing financial assistance to repair or to acquire new AT, and training. New equipment will likely include devices such as bathroom grab bars, raised toilet seats, walkers, and bath chairs.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Caregiver Assistive Technology Outcome Measure 58 Weeks The caregiver assistive technology outcome measure captures physical and psychological associated with informal care provision.
Functional Autonomy Measure (Système de mesure de l'autonomie fonctionnelle (SMAF)) 58 weeks A composite from two sub-scales of the SMAF will be used the primary outcome measure for users (self-care and mobility)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Qualitative interviews week 6 and week 58 A purposive sample of participants will be interviewed immediately after the intervention and at the end of the study to understand better how the intervention was administered by therapists and experienced by assistance users and their caregivers.
Sub-scale scores from the Functional Autonomy Measure (Système de mesure de l'autonomie fonctionnelle (SMAF)) baseline (Time 0), week 6 (Time 1), week 22 (Time 2) and at week 58 (Time 3) Three sub-scales from the Functional Autonomy Measure (Système de mesure de l'autonomie fonctionnelle (SMAF)) (self-care, mobility and instrumental) will be used as secondary outcome measures for assistance users.
Sub-scale scores from the Caregiver Assistive Technology Outcome Measure baseline (Time 0), week 6 (Time 1), week 22 (Time 2) and at week 58 (Time 3). For caregivers, sub-scale scores of frequency of physical and psychological burden from the CATOM will be used.
Euro-QOL 5 baseline (Time 0), week 6 (Time 1), week 22 (Time 2) and at week 58 (Time 3). For caregivers, health-related quality of life. Health related quality of life will be measured using the EuroQol,
Caregiver Burden Inventory baseline (Time 0), week 6 (Time 1), week 22 (Time 2) and at week 58 (Time 3). A composite score from the first three subscales of the Caregiver Burden Inventory will be used as a secondary outcome measure for caregivers.
Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) baseline (Time 0), week 6 (Time 1), week 22 (Time 2) and at week 58 (Time 3). The RNLI will measure problems with social participation among assistance users.
Self-report of Functional Independence baseline (Time 0), week 6 (Time 1), week 22 (Time 2) and at week 58 (Time 3). Assistance users and caregivers will independently evaluate perceived functional Independence of assistance users.
Trial Locations
- Locations (3)
University of Montreal
🇨🇦Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Élisabeth Bruyère Research Centre
🇨🇦Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Simon Fraser University- Gerontolgy Research Centre
🇨🇦Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada