Talk-to-Jo" Intelligent Digital Health Companion, Neurocognitive Disorders and Dyads
- Conditions
- CaregiverNeurocognitive Disorders
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Talk-To-Jo
- Registration Number
- NCT06606353
- Lead Sponsor
- Olivier Beauchet
- Brief Summary
By 2050, one in six people in the world will be over 65, leading to an increase in the number of people with neurocognitive disorders (NCD), such as Alzheimer's disease. The number of cases will rise from 57 million to 153 million by 2050. This presents challenges for healthcare systems, as NCDs affect not only mental health but also the physical health, psychological well-being, and social relationships of patients, as well as their caregivers (PCA).
In Quebec, primary care is often inadequate for people living with NCDs due to delays in accessing resources, incomplete coverage of needs, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated these challenges. This situation can lead to a deterioration in patients' health, affecting their quality of life as well as that of their PCAs, while also increasing healthcare costs.
Many elderly people wish to age at home, but cognitive and functional decline complicates this desire. PCAs, generally family members or close friends, play an essential role in the daily support of these individuals. Their role, as defined in the Act to support caregivers in Quebec, includes non-professional and voluntary assistance to improve the quality of life of the person being cared for.
However, the support provided by PCAs can lead to significant stress, especially if public services are insufficient. The exhaustion of PCAs is often correlated with the severity of the care recipient's loss of autonomy. This exhaustion impacts the mental and physical health of PCAs, leading to isolation, depression, and anxiety, as well as reduced productivity and an increase in sick leave. It is therefore urgent to find support solutions to prevent PCA burnout.
Telehealth, which involves remote consultations through information and communication technologies (ICT), appears to be a promising solution to improve access to care for people with NCDs, especially in underserved areas. By enabling remote monitoring, telehealth facilitates aging in place while stimulating the remaining capacities of patients, such as responsiveness to sensory stimuli.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also a promising tool for tracking the health of older adults in real-time, detecting early signs of diseases, and providing personalized recommendations. Virtual assistants or avatars, like "Talk-to-Jo," can interact with patients to reduce their sense of loneliness. However, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their accessibility and adaptability to the needs of patients, particularly in cases of sensory impairments.
"Talk-to-Jo" is a digital avatar designed for older adults with NCDs and their PCAs. It asks questions about memory and depression and provides tailored recommendations to prevent or stabilize detected disorders. A first version of this tool is currently available on a tablet.
With the growing number of people living with NCDs, it is essential to develop support solutions based on telemedicine and AI. It is important to assess the usability and acceptability of these technologies by patients and their PCAs to ensure their effectiveness.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Dyad Talk-To-Jo people with neurocognitive disorders and their carers with an intelligent digital health companion
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method usage behaviours Intervention day, during 15 minutes Semi-directed interviews will be conducted with both members of the dyad and by one or two members of the research team. If members of the research team observe a difference of opinion between the two members of the dyad, a complementary semi-structured interview will be conducted with each member of the dyad separately. This complementary semi-structured interview will take place if the members of the dyad agree to be separated for 10 to 15 minutes.
enablers and barriers to the use of the intelligent digital avatar "Talk-to-Jo." Intervention day, during 15 minutes Semi-directed interviews will be conducted with both members of the dyad and by one or two members of the research team. If members of the research team observe a difference of opinion between the two members of the dyad, a complementary semi-structured interview will be conducted with each member of the dyad separately. This complementary semi-structured interview will take place if the members of the dyad agree to be separated for 10 to 15 minutes.
impressions and feedback from people living with an NCD and their caregivers (PPA) Intervention day, during 15 minutes Semi-directed interviews will be conducted with both members of the dyad and by one or two members of the research team. If members of the research team observe a difference of opinion between the two members of the dyad, a complementary semi-structured interview will be conducted with each member of the dyad separately. This complementary semi-structured interview will take place if the members of the dyad agree to be separated for 10 to 15 minutes.
expectations and needs of people living with an NCD and their caregivers Intervention day, during 15 minutes Semi-directed interviews will be conducted with both members of the dyad and by one or two members of the research team. If members of the research team observe a difference of opinion between the two members of the dyad, a complementary semi-structured interview will be conducted with each member of the dyad separately. This complementary semi-structured interview will take place if the members of the dyad agree to be separated for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
CRIUGM
🇨🇦Montreal, Quebec, Canada