I-CARE 2: Mobile Telehealth to Reduce Alzheimer'S-related Symptoms

NCT ID: NCT05733520

Last Updated: 2025-11-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

160 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-05-30

Study Completion Date

2027-07-30

Brief Summary

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This study is a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effect of Brain CareNotes (a mobile health application) on the burden experienced by unpaid caregivers of patients with dementia and on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) displayed by care recipients. Over 39 months, the trial will enroll 160 caregivers of community-dwelling patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia (ADRD). Caregivers will be randomized to use the Brain CareNotes app or an attention control education-only app for 12 months, with usage reminders.

Detailed Description

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This study is a hybrid efficacy-effectiveness RCT to evaluate the effect of Brain CareNotes on unpaid caregiver burden and patient BPSD. Over 39 months, the trial will enroll 160 caregivers. Participants will be randomized to use the Brain CareNotes app or an attention control education-only app (Dementia Guide Expert) for 12 months.

The primary objective is to test the effect of Brain CareNotes on a) caregiver burden and b) patient BPSD at 12 months. The investigators hypothesize that caregiver burden and patient BPSD will be lower among those participants randomized to the Brain CareNotes intervention compared to those randomized to the education-only attention control app at 12 months. The primary, powered outcomes are calculated using the caregiver-reported Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI); the total NPI score measures patient BSPD and the caregiver distress sub-score measures caregiver burden. The investigators will obtain NPI responses from caregivers at baseline, six, and 12 months.

The secondary objective is to test the effect of Brain CareNotes on a) caregiver depressive symptoms and b) patient and caregiver acute care utilization at 12 months. The investigators hypothesize that participants randomized to the Brain CareNotes intervention will have lower caregiver depressive symptoms and decreased acute care utilization compared to those randomized to the control app. For caregiver depressive symptoms, investigators will use the researcher-administered Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at baseline, six, and 12 months. Acute care utilization data will be obtained from self-reports or Indiana's statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE), known as the Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC), to identify both caregivers' and patients' hospital and ER visits that occurred within 12 months of enrollment.

Conditions

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Caregiver Burden Alzheimer Disease

Keywords

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Alzheimer's disease and related dementias Caregiver Caregiver Burden Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomized to receive the Brain CareNotes app or an attention control app.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Investigators Outcome Assessors
The primary investigator and outcome assessor will be masked to the App assignment (Brain CareNotes vs Attention Control App)

Study Groups

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Brain CareNotes App

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Brain CareNotes

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The Brain CareNotes mobile telehealth app is used by unpaid caregivers for BPSD management. It includes remote communication with an external human support person-a care coach-as well as features for users to independently perform health-related activities.

Attention Control App

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Dementia Guide Expert

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Dementia Guide Expert provides education only and no interactive BPSD management support, coaching, assessment, or external response. It contains "evidence-based expert information on what dementia is, types, contributing factors, risks, symptoms, stages, diagnosis, tests, treatment, management, communication techniques, and links to resources and support services."

Interventions

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Brain CareNotes

The Brain CareNotes mobile telehealth app is used by unpaid caregivers for BPSD management. It includes remote communication with an external human support person-a care coach-as well as features for users to independently perform health-related activities.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Dementia Guide Expert

Dementia Guide Expert provides education only and no interactive BPSD management support, coaching, assessment, or external response. It contains "evidence-based expert information on what dementia is, types, contributing factors, risks, symptoms, stages, diagnosis, tests, treatment, management, communication techniques, and links to resources and support services."

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Self-identified primary unpaid caregiver of a person diagnosed with ADRD (at any stage) who are:
* Receiving primary care and
* Community-dwelling;
* English literate;
* Age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion Criteria

* Care recipient is a permanent resident of an extended care facility (nursing home);
* Involvement in another clinical trial that would prevent or interfere with study objectives;
* Sensory or other impairment prohibiting the use of a mobile touchscreen device or other study activity (after correction)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute on Aging (NIA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Regenstrief Institute, Inc.

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Indiana University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Richard Holden

Department Chair, Dean's Eminent Scholar & Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Richard J Holden, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Indiana University

Malaz Boustani, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Indiana University

Locations

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IU Health

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Community Health Network

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Miriam J Rodriguez, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: (812) 856-1661

Email: [email protected]

Jordan R Hill, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 812-856-5032

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Malaz Boustani, MD

Role: primary

Molly Campbell, DNP

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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R01AG078234

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

15749

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id