Digital Memory Notebook for Cognitive Impairment

(DMN Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Disqualifiers: Unable to consent, pregnant, prisoners

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 15

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) app designed to help older adults with mild cognitive issues manage daily tasks more effectively. The goal is to determine if the app can improve participants' ability to remember and complete activities, such as tracking appointments or medications. Participants will attend weekly training sessions for six weeks to learn how to use the app, then continue using it independently for another four weeks. The trial seeks English-speaking adults aged 60 and up who have mild cognitive impairment or have noticed memory issues affecting their daily life. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance daily living for those with memory challenges.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Digital Memory Notebook is safe for use in older adults with cognitive impairment?

Research shows that the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) app is generally easy for users to handle. Studies have found that digital memory aids, like the DMN, are safe and helpful for people with mild memory problems. For example, research on a similar tablet app found it easy to use for people with memory issues, and users did not report any major side effects.

While no specific safety concerns have been reported for the DMN app itself, it is based on well-established digital tools safely used by people with similar conditions. This trial does not focus on early-stage safety testing but rather on gathering initial evidence about the app's effectiveness. This suggests that the app is expected to be safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) application is unique because it offers a digital, interactive approach to managing cognitive impairment. Unlike traditional methods that might rely on medication or cognitive exercises alone, the DMN app empowers users to actively engage with their memory tasks through technology. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it provides a user-friendly tool that patients can use independently, potentially enhancing memory retention and cognitive functioning in a way that's accessible and adaptable to individual needs. Plus, it continues to support users even after the structured intervention, offering an ongoing benefit that is distinct from current options.

What evidence suggests that the Digital Memory Notebook is effective for cognitive impairment?

Research has shown that the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN), a tablet app, can help people with mild memory issues improve their daily lives. Studies have found that digital tools like the DMN support memory and assist with everyday tasks, such as remembering appointments or taking medication. Participants in this trial will use the DMN app, designed to be user-friendly and featuring alarms and search functions to help users track important information. Early results suggest that learning to use the DMN leads to better goal-setting and more independence. Overall, the DMN app appears promising in helping individuals manage their daily routines more effectively. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sarah Farias, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 60 or older with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). They must have someone to help with surveys. Pregnant women, those unable to consent, and prisoners are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Fluent in English

You have been diagnosed with memory problems or mild forgetfulness.

You must be at least 60 years old to participate, with no upper age limit.

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to consent

Pregnant women

Prisoners

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

DMN Training Intervention

Participants attend 2-hour weekly sessions for 6 weeks to learn how to use the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) to support everyday functioning

6 weeks

6 visits (in-person)

Stability Evaluation

Participants continue to use the DMN app for 4 weeks to evaluate stability

4 weeks

No additional visits required

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in target behaviors and complete questionnaires at specified intervals

5 weeks

Questionnaires at week 8 and week 12

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) Application

Trial Overview The study tests a Digital Memory Notebook app designed to aid daily tasks for people with memory issues. It involves a 6-week training on using the app followed by a 4-week period of regular use, with assessments before and after the intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: DMN Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will attend 2-hour weekly sessions for 6- weeks. Participants will continue to use the DMN application for 4-weeks after the intervention is complete.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Memory Support System (MSS) training significantly improved adherence and functional ability in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with benefits lasting up to 8 weeks after the intervention.

Care partners of individuals who received MSS training reported improved mood and reduced caregiver burden, while those in the control group experienced worsening burden, highlighting the broader positive impact of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The memory support system for mild cognitive impairment: randomized trial of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention. Greenaway, MC., Duncan, NL., Smith, GE.[2022]

The Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) app was developed to assist older individuals with memory loss, and a manual-based intervention showed promising results in improving everyday memory and functioning among participants.

In a series of three case studies, two participants reported significant reductions in memory lapses and improved daily functioning, while all participants demonstrated enhanced coping skills and satisfaction with life after using the DMN app.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The development of a manual-based digital memory notebook intervention with case study illustrations. Chudoba, LA., Church, AS., Dahmen, JB., et al.[2023]

The Memory Support System (MSS) was successfully learned and utilized by 20 participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with 95% compliance at the end of training and 89% at follow-up.

Participants showed a medium effect size in improved functional ability, along with reported benefits in independence, self-confidence, and mood, indicating that the MSS may effectively help manage memory loss symptoms in MCI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A behavioral rehabilitation intervention for amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Greenaway, MC., Hanna, SM., Lepore, SW., et al.[2022]

The MindMate application significantly improved memory performance in two out of three participants with Alzheimer's disease, as shown by a Tau-U analysis indicating a strong effect (Tau-U = 1, p < .01).

Despite its effectiveness, one participant withdrew due to usability issues, highlighting the importance of user-friendly design in memory aids for individuals with dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

MindMate: A single case experimental design study of a reminder system for people with dementia. McGoldrick, C., Crawford, S., Evans, JJ.[2021]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31046586/

The development of a manual-based digital memory notebook ... In this paper we detail a manual-based intervention for training use of the DMN app. A series of three case studies are described to illustrate the clinical ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03453554?tab=results

Evaluating a Digital Memory Notebook App to Improve ... Predictors of adoption of an electronic memory aid in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Neuropsychology. 2023 Nov;37(8):955-965. doi ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17483107.2019.1587017

Creating a digital memory notebook application for ... The DMN will support everyday retrospective and prospective memory lapses and increase the functional independence and quality of life for persons with ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30907223/

Creating a Digital Memory Notebook Application for ... - PubMed The digital memory notebook (DMN) application is an all-in-one memory aid and organizational tool with an intuitive interface designed to help improve everyday ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2673-9259/5/4/42

Digital Planning-Based Technologies to Support Memory ... Creating a Digital Memory Notebook Application for Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment to Support Everyday Functioning. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12377699/

Digital Tools for People Without an Alzheimer Disease or ... Feasibility-usability study of a tablet app adapted specifically for persons with cognitive impairment-SMART4MD (Support Monitoring and ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/326987949_Smart_home-driven_digital_memory_notebook_support_of_activity_self-management_for_older_adults

(PDF) Smart home-driven digital memory notebook support ... Memory notebooks represent compensatory strategies that can be used to help individuals with memory impairments improve everyday functioning and ...

8. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e64862

Digital Tools for People Without an Alzheimer Disease or ... Background: The field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) moves towards earlier detection, personalized assessment of dementia risk, and dementia ...