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Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the usefulness and the effect of Smart Virtual Reminiscence (SVR) therapy intervention on the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) of patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Smart Virtual Reminiscence (SVR) therapy uses a virtual interventionist and the Large Language Model technologies. SVR is designed to help older adults improve their psychological well-being and cognition. This research supports our long-term goal of designing and implementing intelligent interactive systems to improve the health of individuals with ADRD.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 65 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  1. ) age ≥ 65 years; 2) diagnosis of MCI (mild cognitive impairments) or mild ADRD; 3)Has access to a reliable internet connection 4) community-dwelling; 5) Elevated behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), indicated by a HABC (Healthy Aging Brain Care) monitor above 14 on caregiver report or self report (indicating elevated levels of BPSD); 6) Presence of one or more specific BPSD behaviors (e.g., agitation, anxiety, depression, apathy, or sleep disturbances); 7) ability to consent for themselves.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. ) lives in an assisted living facility or nursing home - excluded to control for the potential confounding effect of a highly structured care environment, which could independently influence behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia BPSD-; 2) have moderate to severe ADRD as measured by the Quick Dementia Rating System; 3) has a life expectancy of less than 6 months. For the care partner: Inclusion criteria: 1) ≥ 21 years old, 2) self-identified care partner (e.g., is knowledgeable about the patient's daytime and nighttime behaviors) of a community-dwelling patient diagnosed with MCI or mild ADRD who will also participate in the study, and Exclusion criteria: 1) has MCI or dementia; and 2) has a severe mental illness or substance abuse; 3) has a life expectancy of less than 6 months.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Patient Music Therapy 		Patient listens to Youtube playlist
  • Other: Music Therapy
    Participants in the attention control group will receive a curated playlist of calming music that they need to listen to twice a week for 12 weeks. The music can be conveniently accessed online (e.g., through YouTube).
Experimental
Patient Intervention 		Patient uses Smart Virtual Reminiscence Therapy
  • Device: Smart Virtual Reminiscence Therapy
    SVR Therapy is delivered through a computer program that can be accessed using a personal computer or smart device. It uses virtual reality, automated speech recognition, and large language models to achieve virtual therapist-patient interaction. The SVR therapy platform also automatically sources multi-modal reminiscence materials (e.g., images, text, etc.) through search engines and databases to facilitate the reminiscence therapy sessions. Each participant will participate in two 25-60 min (depending on content) sessions/week across 12 weeks. Each session will include multiple trials of reminiscence, such as music, sports, arts, etc. Each trial takes about 10 minutes to finish. The exact number of trials finished will depend on each patient's speed, preference, and how long they engage in the interaction with the SVR system. The participants can take breaks as needed.
    Other names:
    • SVR Therapy

Recruiting Locations

Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Contact:
Katrina Coppedge
317-278-1602
kcoppedg@iu.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Indiana University

Study Contact

Katrina Coppedge, BA
317-278-1602
kcoppedg@iu.edu

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.