Caregiver Training with MapHabit for Alzheimer's Disease

Overseen By Brittany Montgomery, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: MapHabit, Inc.

Disqualifiers: No ADRD diagnosis, Non-primary caregiver, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assist caregivers of individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. It tests the MapHabit System, a tool that uses visual maps to aid daily tasks. One group will use only the MapHabit System, while another will use it alongside a special training program for caregivers. The study seeks participants diagnosed with Alzheimer's or related dementias who have a primary caregiver fluent in English. As an unphased trial, this study provides an opportunity to explore innovative support tools for caregivers.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on caregiver training and assistive technology, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that the MapHabit System is safe for use in Alzheimer's care?

Research has shown that the MapHabit System, which uses pictures to assist individuals with Alzheimer's and similar memory issues, received positive feedback in past studies. These studies indicate that this tool can improve life for both people with dementia and their caregivers. The system employs pictures, sounds, and words to guide daily tasks, simplifying them.

Caregivers using this tool reported feeling better and found it easier to manage daily activities. Although the studies did not identify any safety issues, the system is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve physical procedures. This suggests that users generally tolerate the system well. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because the MapHabit System offers a unique approach to supporting individuals with Alzheimer's disease by using visual mapping technology. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medication, MapHabit focuses on enhancing daily living through visual, audio, and text guides that help structure daily activities. The trial is also investigating the added benefit of a Caregiver Training Program, which aims to empower caregivers with tools and techniques to maximize the effectiveness of the system. This dual approach not only aids those with Alzheimer’s directly but also provides crucial support to caregivers, potentially improving the overall quality of care.

What evidence suggests that the MapHabit System and Caregiver Training Program could be effective for Alzheimer's disease?

Research has shown that the MapHabit System, when combined with a Caregiver Training Program, can improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease and similar conditions. In this trial, one group of participants will receive both the MapHabit System and the Caregiver Training Program. A study found that visual mapping technology improved life quality and reduced stress for both patients and caregivers. The system uses pictures, sounds, and written guides to assist with daily tasks, simplifying routines. Features like game-like elements and social networking support can further enhance the caregiver experience. These early findings suggest that this combined approach could be a valuable tool for managing Alzheimer's care. Another group in this trial will receive the MapHabit System without the Caregiver Training Program to compare outcomes. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Stuart Zola, PhD

Principal Investigator

MapHabit, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking primary caregivers of individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's or related dementias. The patient-caregiver pairs will participate in a program aimed at reducing caregiver burden and enhancing the autonomy of the person with dementia.

Inclusion Criteria

Proficient in English

Participating caregiver of individual with dementia must be the primary caregiver

I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or similar dementia at a mild to moderate stage.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not fluent in English.

I have not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or related dementias.

Participating caregiver of individual with dementia is NOT the primary caregiver

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the MapHabit System alone or the MapHabit System with the Caregiver Training Program for 6 months

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• The MapHabit System

Trial Overview

The study tests the MapHabit System (MHS), an assistive technology using visual maps, combined with a Caregiver Training Program (CTP). It compares outcomes between those using just MHS and those using MHS+CTP over six months, involving 50 patient-caregiver pairs.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Caregiver Training Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This condition will involve the implementation of an assistive technology software (named the MapHabit System) with an added Caregiver Training Program into the daily care of individuals with mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The MapHabit System (MHS) is a commercially available visual mapping software application that utilizes visual, audio, and text media to create step-by-step visual guides to assist individuals and their caregivers in structuring and accomplishing activities of daily living (ADLs). The application will be made available to families through compatible tablets.

Group II: The MapHabit System Active Control 1 Intervention

This control condition will act as the active comparator to the experimental condition. The same assistive technology, the MapHabit System, will be given to a separate group of participants. The difference here will be that the software will be a version that does not include the caregiver training program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

MapHabit, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

4

Recruited

120+

LiveWell

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

50+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Recent technological advancements, including digital devices and apps, show promise for improving the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease symptoms, based on a review of eight studies published in the last decade.

These technologies can help detect early cognitive deficits, enhance patient responsiveness, and support memory retrieval and spatial cognition, although more randomized controlled trials are needed to validate their effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Technological Solutions for Diagnosis, Management and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Symptoms: A Structured Review of the Recent Scientific Literature. Cammisuli, DM., Cipriani, G., Castelnuovo, G.[2022]

Verbal-instruction technology significantly helped individuals with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities, with seven out of nine participants showing accurate performance in tasks like snack preparation and shaving.

The intervention also positively impacted mood, as eight participants exhibited increased happiness or decreased unhappiness during the activities, suggesting that this approach can enhance both activity engagement and emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Persons with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease use verbal-instruction technology to manage daily activities: effects on performance and mood. Lancioni, G., Singh, N., O'Reilly, M., et al.[2022]

A pictorial instruction program using a portable computer was effective in helping three patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities, achieving high percentages of correct activity steps similar to those seen with more advanced technologies.

In a follow-up study, two patients demonstrated successful indoor travel performance using a basic doorbell system with sound and light cues, with results comparable to those from previous studies using more sophisticated systems, indicating that simpler technologies can still be effective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting daily activities and indoor travel of persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease through standard technology resources. Lancioni, GE., Singh, NN., O'Reilly, MF., et al.[2019]

WeCareAdvisor™ is a web-based platform designed to help families manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms by providing knowledge, daily tips, and tailored treatment plans, and is currently being tested in a randomized trial with 57 caregivers.

The trial aims to assess the platform's acceptability and usability, as well as its immediate impact on caregiver confidence and the frequency of behavioral symptoms, with participants receiving support through check-in calls during the treatment phase.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized trial of a web-based platform to help families manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms: The WeCareAdvisor™. Gitlin, LN., Kales, HC., Marx, K., et al.[2022]

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MapHabit offers cognitive support for autism and IDD. We help build independence with daily routines and visual guides. Explore our tools now!

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Research

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