End-of-Life Planning for Dementia
(LEAD Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment LEADing Dementia End-of-Life Planning Conversations?
Research shows that structured conversations about end-of-life care with family members of people with advanced dementia can lead to higher satisfaction with care and more informed medical decisions. This suggests that having guided discussions, like those in the LEADing Dementia End-of-Life Planning Conversations, may help improve decision-making and satisfaction for families dealing with dementia.12345
Is the End-of-Life Planning for Dementia treatment safe for humans?
The research articles do not provide specific safety data for the End-of-Life Planning for Dementia treatment, but they discuss the importance of advance care planning in dementia, which is generally considered safe as it involves discussions and decision-making rather than medical interventions.56789
How is the LEADing Dementia End-of-Life Planning Conversations treatment different from other treatments for dementia?
The LEADing Dementia End-of-Life Planning Conversations treatment is unique because it focuses on facilitating structured conversations between family members and clinicians to plan end-of-life care for people with dementia, addressing the challenges of decision-making when the person can no longer make decisions themselves.310111213
What is the purpose of this trial?
Advance care planning is important for all adults, but perhaps even more so for the 5.7 million persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD), due to the progressive and protracted cognitive deterioration associated with the disease process. In the context of ADRD, medical decision-making at the end of life is typically left to one's care partner, who often does not have the knowledge or confidence in their ability to make such decisions. This study will refine and evaluate a web-based platform, called the LEAD Intervention (Life-Planning in Early Alzheimer's and other Dementias), which is designed to help persons in the preclinical or early stage of ADRD engage in conversations about, document, and share their end-of-life values and preferences with a care partner, extended family members, and health care providers.
Research Team
Kara Dassel, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Utah
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for pairs consisting of a person with early-stage or preclinical Alzheimer's/dementia and their care partner, who could be a spouse, long-term partner, or adult child. The person with dementia should have memory lapses or cognitive complaints but can still do daily tasks. They must recognize changes in their memory and thinking.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention Refinement
Refinement of the LEAD Intervention based on pilot work (Stage 1A)
Intervention Evaluation
Evaluation of the usability, acceptability, feasibility, and initial efficacy of the LEAD Intervention (Stage 1B)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for outcomes related to decision-making self-efficacy, subjective well-being, anxiety, and relationship quality
Treatment Details
Interventions
- LEADing Dementia End-of-Life Planning Conversations
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Utah
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator