Internet-Based Education for Dementia Prevention

Overseen By Stephanie Ayers, BA, BEd

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McMaster University

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Lives outside Canada, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

485 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 unlikely that you would need to stop, as the study focuses on online learning about dementia prevention.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention?

Research shows that online education can improve dementia knowledge and well-being for caregivers, and technology-based dementia education can reduce caregiver depression and distress. This suggests that internet-based interventions may be effective in supporting dementia prevention efforts. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Internet-Based Education for Dementia Prevention treatment different from other treatments for dementia?

This treatment is unique because it uses an online platform to educate individuals about dementia prevention, making it more accessible and flexible compared to traditional in-person interventions. It focuses on improving knowledge and skills related to dementia care, which can enhance the quality of life for both patients and caregivers. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

In this proposal, the investigators plan to study the effectiveness of a web-based intervention on dementia prevention knowledge, intentions, and behaviour change related to dementia risk. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups - intervention and control. Participants randomized to the intervention group will receive the dementia prevention e-learning. Participants in the control group will be assigned an alternate-topic e-learning lesson. All participants will be given access to all e-learning at the conclusion of the study. The purpose of this phase is to explore if and how our dementia prevention e-learning influences participants' knowledge, intentions and health behaviours related to dementia risk. The investigators will also engage in participatory co-design with community partners using focus groups to determine pragmatic ways to effectively disseminate e-learning programs to support knowledge about dementia and preventative measures within equity-deserving groups.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals interested in dementia prevention. Participants should be willing to engage with web-based e-learning and are looking to improve their knowledge and behaviors related to reducing dementia risk. Specific eligibility criteria have not been provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Live in Canada

No prior diagnosis of dementia

Good command of the English language

Exclusion Criteria

Prior diagnosis of dementia

Lives outside of Canada

Does not have access to email or internet

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the dementia prevention e-learning or an alternate-topic e-learning lesson

4 weeks

Online participation

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in knowledge, intentions, and health behaviours related to dementia prevention

8 weeks

Focus Groups

Focus groups conducted to explore barriers and facilitators for uptake and dissemination of e-learning

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of an online educational program on improving knowledge, intentions, and behavior changes that could prevent dementia. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one receives the intervention (dementia prevention e-learning), while the control group gets a different topic's e-learning.

Participant Groups

Group I: Education Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in the intervention group will be provided e-learning about dementia prevention and promoting brain health, consisting of following components: 1. One multimedia e-learning lesson on promoting brain health and preventing dementia; 2. A series of 12 'micro-learning' emails (3 emails/week) with small segments of content to reinforce the material from the lesson. 3. Curated resources related to dementia risk factors

Group II: Education Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the control group will be provided e-learning about mild cognitive impairment, consisting of following components: 1. One multimedia e-learning lesson on mild cognitive impairment; 2. A series of 12 'micro-learning' emails (3 emails/week) with small segments of content to reinforce the material from the lesson. 3. Curated resources related to mild cognitive impairment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Findings from Research

A web-based educational intervention for dementia caregivers was feasible, with 55 out of 60 enrolled participants completing the study and averaging 8 hours of learning over 30 days, indicating strong engagement with the platform.

Participants reported high satisfaction (89%) and implemented skills learned from the program, although the intervention showed only small effect sizes in reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress, suggesting potential benefits that may need further exploration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver Response to an Online Dementia and Caregiver Wellness Education Platform. Rodriguez, K., Fugard, M., Amini, S., et al.[2022]

The virtual cognitive health (VC Health) program, a remotely delivered multidomain lifestyle intervention, significantly improved cognitive function in older adults with subjective cognitive decline, with an average increase of 5.8 points in the RBANS Total Index score over 52 weeks (P<.001).

Participants also experienced significant reductions in depression and anxiety levels, with mean decreases of 3.8 points in the PHQ-9 score and 2.9 points in the GAD-7 score, indicating the program's effectiveness in enhancing mental health outcomes alongside cognitive improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of the Virtual Cognitive Health Program on the Cognition and Mental Health of Older Adults: Pre-Post 12-Month Pilot Study. Kumar, S., Tran, J., Moseson, H., et al.[2020]

The review identified 14 key features that make a Web-based education program effective for dementia care, including being self-directed, interactive, and able to translate knowledge into clinical practice, based on an analysis of 46 studies.

The Dementia Care Competency and Training Network (DCC&TN) incorporates most of these effective features and serves as a promising model for future Web-based dementia training programs, highlighting the need for rigorous evaluation methods like Kirkpatrick's model to assess training outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Web-Based Dementia Education Program and its Application to an Australian Web-Based Dementia Care Competency and Training Network: Integrative Systematic Review. Moehead, A., DeSouza, K., Walsh, K., et al.[2020]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dementia Risk Score for a Population in Southern Europe Calculated Using Competing Risk Models. [2023]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver Response to an Online Dementia and Caregiver Wellness Education Platform. [2022]

3. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Students can learn medicine with computers. Evaluation of an interactive computer learning package in geriatric medicine. [2007]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Digital tools for delivery of dementia education for caregivers of persons with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of impact on caregiver distress and depressive symptoms. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for the Brain Health Support Program Study of the Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia (CAN-THUMBS UP): A Prospective 12-Month Intervention Study. [2023]

6. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of the Virtual Cognitive Health Program on the Cognition and Mental Health of Older Adults: Pre-Post 12-Month Pilot Study. [2020]

7. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Web-Based Dementia Education Program and its Application to an Australian Web-Based Dementia Care Competency and Training Network: Integrative Systematic Review. [2020]