Trial Outcomes & Findings for MEMORI Corps: Activity-based Companion Care for Dementia (NCT NCT03896711)

Last Updated: 2026-01-28

Results Overview

The total score (frequency x severity) of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scale will be used to measure neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms. The NPI is a proxy rating of person with dementia's severity, frequency, and distress across 12 types of neuropsychiatric behavior problems. Scores can range from 0-144, with higher score indicating greater neuropsychiatric behavioral burden.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

Target enrollment

175 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline - 12 weeks

Results posted on

2026-01-28

Participant Flow

Overall, we received over 650 community-based referrals from over 20 unique community-based referral sources (including health care and non-health care related sources).

Completed enrollment of 175 individual participants. 173 were randomized (61 Persons Living With Dementia (PLWD), 61 Family Caregivers, 51 Volunteer/Companion Guides). 1 dyad was inadvertently not randomized after baseline and excluded from analysis.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Active Intervention Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Overall Study STARTED	90	83
Overall Study PLWD	33	28
Overall Study Family Caregivers	33	28
Overall Study Volunteer/Companion Guides	24	27
Overall Study COMPLETED	72	70
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	18	13

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

The total participant sample is comprised of 3 subgroups of participants (Persons living with Dementia, Caregivers, and Volunteer Companion Guides) and these have been represented separately in rows.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Person with dementia participant outcome, intent to treat

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=26 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=19 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Neuropsychiatric Symptoms as Assessed by Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Score	3.35 score on a scale Standard Deviation 11.14	0.47 score on a scale Standard Deviation 6.10

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Person with dementia participant outcome, intent to treat

The total score (sum of all items) for the Quality of life in Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) tool will assess quality of life in the context of Alzheimer's Disease. The QOL-AD has a self-rated and proxy-rated version for persons with dementia, and was specifically developed for use in dementia. Scores can range from 13-52, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=19 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=18 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Quality of Life as Assessed by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) Tool	0.21 units on a scale Standard Deviation 3.44	-0.44 units on a scale Standard Deviation 4.97

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Caregivers of persons with dementia participants, Intent to treat

The total score (sum of items) for the Zarit Burden Inventory-Short Form-12 items (ZBI) will assess subjective caregiver burden. The ZBI short form is a self-rated 12-item measure of caregiver subjective burden rating related to caregiving for persons with dementia. Scores can range from 0-48, with higher scores indicating greater perceived burden.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=26 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=23 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Subjective Caregiver Burden as Assessed by the Zarit Burden Inventory-Short Form	0.04 units on a scale Standard Deviation 4.84	-0.69 units on a scale Standard Deviation 5.84

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Caregiver of person living with dementia outcome, intent to treat

The total score (sum of items) for the The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) - 8 will assess depressive symptoms severity. The PHQ-8 is a self-rated 8 item measure of caregiver depressive symptoms. Scores can range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=26 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=22 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers as Assessed by The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) - 8	0.38 units on a scale Standard Deviation 3.97	0.59 units on a scale Standard Deviation 2.97

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Person living with dementia participant outcome, intent to treat

Three item measure of perceived loneliness and social isolation. Scores range from 3-9 with higher scores indicating higher levels of loneliness.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=15 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=19 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Perceived Loneliness as Measured by UCLA 3 Loneliness Scale	0.20 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.86	-0.42 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.07

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Caregiver of person with dementia outcome, intent to treat

Three item measure of perceived loneliness and social isolation. Scores range from 3-9 with higher scores indicating higher levels of loneliness.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=23 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=20 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Perceived Loneliness for Caregiver as Measured by UCLA 3 Loneliness Scale	-0.39 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.23	0.10 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.71

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12-weeks post intervention

Population: caregivers in intervention arm only of persons with dementia receiving intervention, intent to treat

55 item likert scale survey assessing program delivery, feasibility, acceptability, perceived program impact. Total score range from 55-253 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction and perceived feasibility, with higher scores indicating

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=26 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Program Satisfaction and Perceived Impact Survey	124.15 score on a scale Standard Deviation 25.20	—

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: Person living with dementia participant outcome, intent to treat

11 item scale measuring the subjective impact of leisure activity participation on several areas of life and emotional well-being. Scores range from 11-55 with higher scores indicating more beneficial subjective impact of leisure activities

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=21 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=16 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Perceived Impact of Leisure Activities as Measured by Leisure Activity Participation Impact Scale	-1.71 score on a scale Standard Deviation 4.01	-1.63 score on a scale Standard Deviation 4.46

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline - 12 weeks

Population: caregiver of person living with dementia participant outcomes, intent to treatment

Two individual items ask caregivers to estimate hours per day spent doing caregiving activities, and hours per day spent with the person with dementia in a typical week. Objective measure of caregiver burden. Higher time estimates in performing these tasks indicate greater objective burden.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=26 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=23 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Caregiver Time Spent Helping Person Living With Dementia	-14.04 hours per week Standard Deviation 45.56	-0.96 hours per week Standard Deviation 29.37

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline -12 weeks

Population: Outcome is only for senior companion guide volunteer participants, intent to treat. This outcome is for a subset of participants (i.e., senior volunteer companion guides). Excludes PLWD and caregiver participants.

The total score (sum of items) for the The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) - 8 will assess depressive symptoms severity in senior companion volunteers. The PHQ-8 is a self-rated 8 item measure of caregiver depressive symptoms. Scores can range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active Intervention n=24 Participants Intervention arm with MEMORI Corps program MEMORI Corps program: Virtual activity-based companion care program. Delivered by trained senior volunteers, supported by a clinical team, over a 12-week intervention period (up to 5 hours per week, one or more days per week) for each person with dementia/family caregiver dyad. Primary roles of the volunteers are to provide socialization, companionship, and a personalized activity program that focuses on meaningful, engaging and enjoyable activities that match the participant's abilities and interests.	Control n=27 Participants Augmented waitlist control. Augmented Waitlist Control: Persons with dementia/caregivers will continue any services and supports being used, will receive a free copy of "A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Using Activities and Other Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Manage Behavioral Symptom"103), a Resource Guide with written educational materials on local, regional and national resources, management of CG stress/well-being, and check-in calls to answer any questions about the materials. Volunteers randomized to waitlist control will continue with usual activities (volunteer or other), and will receive additional written educational materials on cognitive health (NIA) and exercise and Physical Activity (Go4Life), referrals to the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education for volunteering opportunities, and check-in calls to answer questions and maintain engagement. Waitlist dyads will be followed at specified intervals by the research team and then offered an opportunity for participation in the intervention arm.
Change in Depressive Symptoms in Senior Companion Volunteers as Assessed by The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) - 8	1.02 units on a scale Standard Deviation 2.61	0.80 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.79

Adverse Events

Active Intervention-PLWD

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Active Intervention - Volunteer/Companion Guides

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 1 deaths

Waitlist Control - PLWD

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Waitlist Control - Volunteer/Companion Guides

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Waitlist Received Intervention - PLWD

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Waitlist Received Intervention - Volunteer/Companion Guides

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Quincy Samus, Professor

Johns Hopkins University

Phone: 4105506493

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place