A Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Social Isolation
Social Support (Formal and Informal)
Well-being/Quality of Life

Registration Number: NCT01497613

Lead Sponsor: University of Miami

Brief Summary: Although technology offers great potential for enhancing the health and well-being of older adults, robust studies are needed to quantify the value of technology and further the investigators understanding of barriers to technology access among older adults and of strategies that are effective in removing these barriers. This cross-site randomized field trial will evaluate a simple to use Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM) designed to support social connectivity, memory, skill building and resource access for older adults. The PRISM system (PRISM C condition) will be compared to an notebook information control condition (PRISM B condition). The target population is older adults who live at home alone and are at risk for isolation. The goal of the study is to gather systematic evidence about the value of technology for older adults and to identify factors that affect use and usability, acceptance and technology adoption. The investigators will also gather longitudinal data on the benefits of the system. Participants aged 65 - 85 years (100 per site) will be randomly assigned following baseline assessment to one of two conditions: PRISM C condition where participants receive the technology system or the PRISM B condition only control where participants receive a notebook that includes information similar to that provided in PRISM C (e.g., resource guide). The categories of information provided in the notebook is similar to the features provided on the system. Participants will include males and females who do not have a home computer and who have limited Internet experience. The intervention period is 12 months. A battery of measures that includes demographic information, attitudes towards technology (including computer self-efficacy and computer comfort), technology, computer and Internet experience, functional independence and well-being, emotional well-being social support/isolation, and quality of life will be administered at baseline, and 6 and 12 months post randomization. In addition, the investigators will assess cognitive abilities at baseline and twelve months. The investigators will also gather data regarding technology use and social interactions via a brief telephone interview at 18 months post randomization.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 300

Inclusion Criteria

65+ years
Live alone in the community in an independent residence
Minimum computer and Internet use in the past three months
English speaking
Able to read English at the 6th grade level
Has a telephone
20/60 Vision with or without correction
Not employed or volunteering more than 5 hrs/week
Does not spend more than 10 hrs./week at a Senior Center or Formal organization
Planning to remain in the area in same living arrangements for duration of intervention period

Exclusion Criteria

Blind or deaf
Cognitively impaired (MMSE) < 26
Fuld Object Memory Test < 20 or 19
Terminal illness
Severe motor impairment

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Social Isolation Measured by Friendship Scale	Baseline and 12th month	Measures the level of social isolation from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Lower score means less social isolation. Range (0-24) .
Change Overall Well-being Measured by SF-36 Overall Well-being Subscale	Baseline and 12th month	Use the SF-36 to measure the overall well-being from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more peaceful, happy and calm. Range (0-100).
Change in Level of Social Support Measured by Social Support Scale	Baseline and 12th month	Measures the level of social support from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more social support. Range (6-36).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Computer Efficacy Measured by Computer Attitude - Efficacy Subscale	Baseline and 12th month follow-up	Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer efficacy from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more efficacy towards computer. Range (5-25)
Change in Computer Comfort Measured by Computer Attitude - Comfort Subscale .	baseline and 12 months	Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer comfort from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more computer comfort. Range (5-25)
Change in Computer Interest Measured by Computer Attitude - Interest Subscale	Baseline and 12th month follow-up	Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer interest from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more interest towards computer. Range (5-25)
Changes in Technology Proficiency Measured by Technology Proficiency Scale	baseline and 12 months	Measures the level of technology proficiency from baseline to 12th month follow-up. A higher score means more computer proficiency. Range (6-30)
Change in Technology Adoption Measured by Technology Acceptance Questionnaire	baseline and 12 months	Measures the level of technology adoption from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more acceptance. Range (6-42)